1. SEPA is being hosted by the new, way cool, world-class, state of the art Sudekum Planetarium that just opened in June 2008. The Sudekum Planetarium features the first GOTO Chiron Hybrid optical star projector outside of Japan seamlessly integrated with Evans and Sutherland Digistar 3.
  2. Delegates from across the United States will attend this conference. The four planetarium associations west of the Mississippi, (GPPA, PPA, RMPA, and SWAP) will join the fourteen states of SEPA for what could be largest planetarium conference in this country and maybe in the world in 2009.
  3. More than eleven hours in the new Sudekum Planetarium for dome showcases will feature powerful new hardware for fulldome and laser applications, advanced software for presentation and education, dramatic new full length shows never seen before in the U.S., program trailers and excerpts, HYBRID planetarium, and more.
  4. Get ready for 90 hours of nonstop planetarium excitement, demonstrations, shop talk, and inspiration while giving Nashville a small economic stimulus. There are slots for 74 papers allowing for presentations on a broad variety of topics and the exchange or stealing of ideas.
  5. Exhibition hall of 4,800 square feet with more than 15 leading planetarium vendors including four portable domes highlighting hardware, software, and content for theaters of all sizes and interests.
  6. Preconference lecture “Skywatchers of Ancient Mexico” presented by world-class archaeoastronomer Dr. Anthony Aveni using the new Sudekum Planetarium GOTO Chiron Hybrid optical star projector and Evans and Sutherland Digistar 3 to recreate important events and aspects in Mayan astronomy. Dr. Aveni was one of the leading consultants on the Hansen Planetarium show of the same name. This opportunity is being provided by Vanderbilt University’s Center for Latin American Studies.
  7. Other speakers include Dr. C. Robert O’Dell of Vanderbilt University, who was Project Manager for the Hubble Space Telescope during its early design and development in the 1970s. Dr. O’Dell continues to do research using data acquired by HST and will present a lecture on the Orion Nebula. Other speakers will be announced soon.
  8. Be the first to see “We Are Astronomers” from the National Space Centre in Leicester, UK, the creators of “Astronaut” and the inaugural program of the new Sudekum Planetarium “STARS”. Stellar Experiences from the Sudekum Planetarium “Nine Planets and Counting” and “Our Place in Space” will be presented in addition to other treats to be announced as we get closer to the conference.
  9. SEPA 2009 is the ultimate opportunity for every planetarium professional from big dome directors to lowly console jockeys to renew, reawaken, rekindle, and revitalize your enthusiasm and energy for everything related to the planetarium experience. Wear comfy clothes so you can fully participate – without the responsibility for budgets, maintenance, or managing unruly students. And remember, it’s a planetarium conference, so no one but other planetarians will see you acting like a kid!
  10. Find out who deserves the SWAP Bent Cage Award, who will receive SEPA’s prestigious Paul Campbell Fellowship Award, and the secret of the Woodchuck.