(Viewed 4,853 times)

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Chicago Astronomers to Preview "Roving Mars" at the IMAX

The Chicago Astronomer has been invited to a special preview screening of the new big screen IMAX presentation of the two Mars rovers presently crawling the Martian surface.

Here is a synopsis on the film:

“ROVING MARS” TO OPEN EXCLUSIVELY AT NAVY PIER IMAX® THEATRE

Walt Disney Pictures will open their new Large-Format film, ROVING MARS, on Friday, January 27 exclusively at the Navy Pier IMAX® Theatre in Chicago.

The mysterious Red Planet, Mars, has inspired countless science fiction dreams and nightmares. Now, for the first time, experience the reality of the Mars surface as seen through the eyes of two intrepid, death-defying explorers -- Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Rovers -- in the spectacular new giant screen adventure ROVING MARS, exclusively in IMAX Theatres.

The phenomenal size and clarity of the IMAX screen draws the viewer into a spectacular landscape that is at once awe-inspiring and amazing. And the suspenseful drama of the Rovers’ dogged quest over the rugged terrain may even answer that persistently haunting question – Is there life on Mars?

Produced by Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Frank Marshall (“Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Seabiscuit”), and Scott Swofford (“Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure”), and directed by acclaimed director George Butler (“The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition,” “Pumping Iron”), this film takes moviegoers on a fantastic journey unlike any that has ever been seen on the giant screen before. Multiple Oscar®-nominated composer Phillip Glass (“The Hours,” “Kundun”) adds to the excitement with his brilliant score.

ROVING MARS has been rated “G” by the MPAA. The film’s running time is 40 minutes.

--------------------

The crew will attend this event on the 26th of January 2006 at Chicago's great Navy Pier's IMAX theater. If any Chicago area members of the Chicago Astronomer wishes to participate in this activity, please do contact me and we will gladly welcome you.

A full review with pics will be posted after the viewing.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

- The Chicago Astronomers Preview -

"IMAX - ROVING MARS"

26 January 2006

[/color][/b][/center][/size]

_____________________________________

There are some thing well worth waiting for... new telescopic equipment, a fresh magazine or a crisp clear evening. The new IMAX film, Roving Mars is certainly one of them! It's a great film for astronomers and space travel enthusiasts... and highly anticipated!


The Meet up:

The crack Chicago Astronomer crew gather for our group shot before we make our way to our seats. We had 26 members and their families join us in the quite cool event.

We all met at the IMAX theater at Navy Pier around 6:00 pm and chatted among ourselves as we waited for the entire crew to show up. Every once in a while, a new member would show up and another round of hi's went up. I had noticed also an assortment of other space/astronomical groups present as well, anxious to view the film.

Chicago Astronomer Al Deguits from Woodstock Illinois and www.skyinsight.com brought along a treat for us. He has promotional wristbands for skyinsight available on his website - ( www.skyinsight.com/sales/spiritbands.php ) -, and presented the Chicago Astronomer members with them. I got mine...and they are quite cool...

Here Alfred selects a selection of two different mottos from Al.

Here we proudly display our bands in homage to Al's generosity

Catch Al's review of Roving Mars on his site, along with pics of the event: www.degutis.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry060127-190141

We were treated to a special preview of Magnificent Desolation back in September 2005 by the generosity of the lovely Caroline - who arranged our participation. And again we thank her astronomically and are forever grateful for our invitation to Roving Mars!

This mass field event was made possible by Caroline and together we pose prior to viewing.

As the start time approached, I couldn't wait any longer for any late stragglers, so I made a head count and with a smile and great cooporation, Caroline handed us our tickets for the crew.

Here, I hold what we have all been waiting for...40 minutes of bliss... ;D

The Pre-View:

I passed out the tickets , some rushed the concession stand while others, including myself, took our seats. I sat close to the screen, as I wanted the film to overwhelm me. The anticipation was great among us, chatting anxiously, making jokes and the film begins.

It starts out with Earth based clean rooms, assembling and testing the Rovers. Trial runs on Martian-like terrain and meticulous prep of the machines. Each rover has a personality and unique attitudes and the project leaders adjust to them. We examine their "eyes" and feet. Considering the abrasive nature of the Martian soil, I'm surprised the wheels have not worn down, or the gears loaded with grit by now!

(I thought that too much time was spent in the JPL laboratories with the project scientists. Nice to know and see, but the sequence is not IMAX caliber and we saw this on the PBS special last year anyway. Time I felt was wasted here and it took time away from the grandeur of the IMAX potential of the surface exploration of Mars.)

The real prize of this movie is when the narrator goes mute and silent...and finally - the focus is on the launch of the Atlas rocket carrying the first Rover/orbiter. We eagerly watch as the main engines spark with a high pitched "twing" and ignite with a great release of energy. The roar of the engines shake up the theater and we feel it in our seats! I smile as the beast comes to life... belching out fire and smoke...clearing the gantry in just a couple of blinks of the eye.

Simulated cameras follow the rocket as it pierces the skies above Florida, screaming with speed and gulping propellant by the ton. We follow as it goes thru the sequence of jettisoning and igniting booster stages placing it in higher Earth orbit...and finally, with precise coordination of small explosives and gyro rockets putting a spin on the payload...it leaves the grasp of earth's gravity and literally silently coasts almost all the way to Mars.

We hear all of the clicks, bangs and engines in this marvelous sequence of events. Granted, in the vacuum of space it's deathly silent, it adds to the drama...and I like it.

As it approaches the Martian atmosphere, automation kicks in and we trail along with the lander as it prepares to land. Blazing thru the atmosphere, kicking off the heat shield, deploying parachutes and retro rockets firing briefly.

And like a car airbag or puffer fish, it suddenly blows up it's landing bags surrounding the rover and bounces along the Martian surface, almost forever...finally coming to rest in Gusev crater. Then after all the noise, rockets, scraping and aerobraking noise....it's quiet, very quiet. We are on the surface of Mars...

Mission control now has the job of finding out if the machine survived an autonomous landing...and after a long pause...they finally rejoice in receiving a signal from the rover.

The film then follows the rover in simulated sequence, the unfolding of the rover as it stretches and comes to life. Rolling off the platform, it begins it's incredible exploration, showing us it's tools and locomotion. We examine along with the Rovers the evidence of past surface water.

It ends by saying that one day the rovers will go to sleep, and due to wear and tear, dust on the solar panels and intense Martian cold...they will simple not wake up and fade away. Quite sad really, considering that they are still alive, viable and rolling on Mars right now...way beyond their expected lifespan. Just too cool!... ;D

Then the film is over.

It took a couple of moments to reflect on what we just saw, and the audience applauded with gratitude of the experience. Some who I spoke with after said it was almost a religious experience, as these little machines did all that it was asked of them. And practically with hands-off real time commands. In that we humans with all our frailty and incompetence, put aside that for a moment, and created this marvel of exploration...and extention of ourselves, and it worked...it really worked!

Post film activities:

The Chicago Astronomer crew then gathered outside of the theater to debrief and chat about the high points of the film. Some had to leave early, so I grab them for pics:

I happily pose with Jeff, Carmen and we have John and his son Michael.

A couple of our members brought along optical equipment just in case the skies were friendly to catch Saturn and other celestial targets. We headed outside and tested the skies...

#1 - Fred and his wife Joyce point out Orion

#2 & #3- Bill, the skylore expert, tells stories of the night sky and points of interest.

The winds were not cooportive and we deceided not to conduct a session, but instead go for eats.

Bill draws a map to Chinatown in celebration of the Chinese New Year, as we would all carpool and dine there.

But, Alfred and Alan decide to discuss political and social economic issues while we gather our thoughts.

It was certainly a great night for the Chicago Astronomers pre-viewing the "Roving Mars" IMAX film. We again thank Caroline for her invitation and courtesy!... ;D

Next....

The after film dining activities...with pics...

[John]

Thanks once again to Joe and to Caroline for the movie. My son and I really enjoyed it. Thanks also to Al for the cool writstbands ... and to all who attended for adding to the fun!

My favorite part of the movie was re-living the tense moments of arrival, and joyous ones of success with the control room engineers.

My son Michael's favorite features were the NASA logos on the wheels of the rovers. Add some of Joe's cool HotWheels mudflaps and you can almost guarantee that Michael will have picked his career path with JPL!

The movie could have easily been 4 times as long to address all the aspects of the rover mission while still keeping my interest.

Speaking of interest and length, I'd love to get a group together and just discuss various science and astronomy topics. It would be difficult to have enough time and to be able to stay focused, topic by topic, but I think it would also be very rewarding.

Discussion groups are so much more dynamic, even more so than the Chicago Astronomer forum. If we combined the topics and reach of the forum with some periodic discussion sessions at some venue that would accomodate a fair sized group of us, I think we'd have a blast!!! What do you all think?

Thanks to all for the great exchange of ideas and the great company!!!

John

P.S. Joe, we need some BatMan emoticons!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

John...

You mean like these:

[upsguy]

joe, is this film still showing?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim,

Yes...The Roving Mars film is still playing at the Navy Pier IMAX.

I encourage the trip to see it...well worth it!

If you do, please tell us about your experience and review.