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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Chicago Astronomer Preview "Journey To Mecca" in IMAX

www.journeytomeccagiantscreen.com/index.php

The Chicago Astronomer crew was invited to preview a new IMAX film on explorer "Ibn Battuta", who has a crater named after him on the Moon.

Journey to Mecca is an IMAX® dramatic and documentary feature that tells the amazing story of Ibn Battuta, the greatest explorer of the Old World, following his first pilgrimage between 1325 and 1326 from Tangier to Mecca.

His perilous journey resonates with adventure while presenting an unforgettable picture of Islamic civilization during the 14th century, culminating with Ibn Battuta's first Hajj. The story is book-ended by a close-up look at the contemporary Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca that draws three million Muslims from around the world.

Winner of awards and acclaimed by media, this should be a very interesting film to enjoy and share with fellow astronomers.


My email:

Hi Joseph,

I work on behalf of SK Films in Chicago. We are currently working on the new film, JOURNEY TO MECCA, made in association with National Geographic. Journey to Mecca is an IMAX® dramatic and documentary feature that tells the amazing story of Ibn Battuta, the greatest explorer of the Old World, following his first pilgrimage between 1325 and 1326 from Tangier to Mecca. The film was made with the help of 15 historians to ensure the closest historic accuracy. The film features a great deal of science in the film, as Ibn began his travels at the end of what is commonly referred to as the "Golden Age of Islam" - a period which included an astounding number of scientific inventions and refinements.

I am contacting you because I thought your astronomical organization might be interested in this film. The film is both an enriching historical/spiritual experience and an entertaining movie adventure. As you may or may not know, the International Astronomical Union named a crater on the moon in Ibn Battuta's honor.

We are hosting an advance screening to promote the film's opening in Chicago. The screening is on August 19th at the Navy Pier IMAX Theatre at 6 PM. I would like to offer passes to your organization to attend this screening. Please let me know as soon as possible if this event is of interest, so I can get the passes out to you soon.

Very cool to be invited to this...

Pics and review tomorrow.

[zeusdammit]

Never been there....whats parking like and whatnot?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Chicago Astronomers and Yelpers enjoy "Journey to Mecca" at the IMAX...

The Chicago Astronomer Crew for the evening

I planned my day around this preview, putting things off till tomorrow and taking my time to get to Chicago's Navy Pier and IMAX Theater - parking and having a light nosh before the showing.

But, I was receiving a bunch of texts/calls, notifying me of cancellations, late or impending arrivals. I will wait as long as I can, I tell tell them.

The line for the premier was getting long, even as early as 4:45 pm, an hour and a half before the show start. We slowly gather and butt in line, 'cause we can.

But there is always time for pics...

Laura and Joe

Adam and Joe

Elisa and Joe

Barbara and Joe

Chicago Astronomer John and Joe

Heidi and Joe

Chicago Astronomer Steve and Joe

Steve, Candice, Gary and Joe

Rhea and Joe

Brian, friend and Joe

Kelz and Joe

Claire and Joe

After the picture taking, we march in the theater, but I leave some passes, with my name on them, out on the sign in table for the late comers, who I could not wait anymore....and joined the crew.

It was a very interesting film and I learned much of Islamic beliefs and customs. The long pilgrimage trek from Ibn Battuta's home town of Tangier to Mecca was an ordeal that we follow along with. When he gets to his destination, we witness the walks seven times around the Ka'ba shrine in a counterclockwise direction. The photographic special effects speed up the thousands that make this walk...and in the blur, looks akin to a spinning galaxy.

Quite cool.

But it was the mass of humanity that impressed me, in various locales and ceremonies, thousands upon thousands - at one place - at the same time - all sharing a moment. It was interesting to observe pilgrims casting stones against three large stone pillars representing Satan, as a symbol of the eternal battle that must be waged against the demons within.

Doing some research.... The structure’s corners, rather than the walls, are oriented toward the compass points. The east and west walls are aligned to the sunrise at the summer solstice and sunset at the winter solstice. The south wall is directed to the rising of the bright star Canopus.

And that Ibn Battuta, traveled farther, wider and longer than Marco Polo.



A very insightful film and we appreciate being invited guests to this Chicago Premier... ;D

After the movie, we gather about to discuss the show...

And before we go our separate ways...a group shot...

Brian, Claire, John, Robert, guest, Heidi, Elisa, Barbara, Laura, Rhea, Myself, Kelz, Adam, Candice, Gary and guest

This was also the night for the monthly "Adler After Dark" activities, and John, Steve and I head toward the museum to operate the telescopes and attend to the visitors.

We bring along a few fans.

Adam, Kelz and I

Adler Astronomer Salgado, Steve, Fred and I

John, Linda, Steve and I

Zak from Rhode Island

New Chicago Astronomer fans Claudia and Peter

Linda and Joe

And to end the evening, a nice pic with Elisa...

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Curiosity found me researching the crater named after him...

Ibn Battuta is a small lunar crater on the Mare Fecunditatis, a lunar mare in the eastern part of the Moon's near side. It lies to the southwest of the crater Lindbergh, and northeast of the prominent Goclenius.

The mare to the south and west of Ibn Battuta contains a number of ghost crater formations, consisting of crater rims that have been submerged by lava flows and now form ring-shaped projections in the surface. These are best observed under conditions of oblique lighting, when the terminator still lies on or near the Mare Fecunditatis.

The crater is circular and symmetrical, with a wide interior floor. The sloping inner walls have a slightly higher albedo than the surrounding mare, but the interior floor is the same dark shade as the exterior of the crater. There is a tiny craterlet on the floor near the western rim, but otherwise no significant markings.
This crater was formerly designated Goclenius A before being given its current name by the IAU. It is named after the traveller and writer Ibn Battuta.

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It may be on the observation list on our next session.

[Paulie pchris00]

I would have liked to come out and seen the film with the crew, but I've had an exhausting week, and needed to stay home and rest.

Thanks for pointing out the crater Ibn Battuta. I will have to check it out, maybe a day or two after full Moon. It looks like a challenge, without being overly difficult to find.

[Paulie pchris00]

Been meaning to do this for a long time.







Procrastination is underrated.