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Timothy Ferris, America’s Writer Laureate of astronomy, award winning filmmaker, journalist and

best-selling author.

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In conversation today with:

Barbara Wilson, who teaches at the George Observatory at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She appears in “Seeing in the Dark.”

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“Seeing in the Dark”Premieres on PBS – Sept. 19 (8:00 p.m.)

• This 60-minute, state-of-the-art, high-definition (HDTV) documentary celebrates the wonders of stargazing.

• Based on Timothy Ferris’ award-winning book, the film features never before-seen astronomical photography, special effects and a memorable original score by Mark Knopfler & Guy Fletcher.

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Astronomers Featured in

“Seeing in the Dark”

6Robert Smith, former NFL running back

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The Bisque Brothers, designers of telescope-control software

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Other Astronomers in the Film

• Steven James O’Meara, artist & astronomy writer

• Ron Bissinger, corporate CEO & planet hunter• Rob Gendler, deep-space astrophotographer• Michael Koppelman, musician who images light

older than Earth• Debra Fischer, astrophysicist at U.C. Berkeley

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World Class Production Team

• Hollywood cinematographer Francis Kenny• BBC natural history director Nigel Ashcroft• Celebrated astronomical special-effects artist

Don Davis• Sound designer Kate Hopkins• Three-time Academy Award® winner Walter

Murch, and• Astrophotographers Robert Gendler, Jack

Newton and Akira Fujii.

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“Seeing in the Dark” Two Special Websites

• http://www.seeinginthedark.org – Includes press materials.

• PBS.org/seeinginthedark – Major site goes live Sept. 5. Enables viewers to print star charts, download educational materials and learn more about the people and the concepts in the film.

• Features field tested stargazing exercises and encourages viewers to participate in local star parties.

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“Pbs.org/Seeinginthedark”Special Features

• A guide to “Birthday Stars” which are the stars whose light reaches earth in the same amount of time since you were born.

• Your Sky Tonight, an interactive chart that allows visitors to view & print out information on the night sky in their location.

• Essays on astronomy topics • How-to video which will help budding

astronomers learn how to stargaze.

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“Seeing in the Dark” You Can Connect with PBS Stations• Log on to www.pbs.org – Home page

• “Station Finder” will help you locate local PBS station.

• Contact the public information director or outreach director.

• Discuss joint events - film screenings, star parties or other activities with your club.

• Help promote the film in your community.

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Astronomical Society of the Pacific Premiere Event

“Seeing in the Dark”—Special Preview:

ASP’s national conference in Chicago, Illinois, Sept. 4 – 7:30 p.m.

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“Seeing in the Dark”Local Screenings

• Boulder, CO., Fiske Planetarium, Aug.29, 7:00 p.m.

• Denver, CO., Boettcher Auditorium, Sept. 12, 7:00 p.m. (Features the Bisque Brothers)

• Hilo, Hawaii, Imola Astronomy Center, Sept. 3• Hartford, Connecticut – Children’s Museum,

Sept. 15, 7:00 p.m.• Philadelphia, Franklin Institute, Sept. 13

(tentative.)

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“Seeing in the Dark” Robotic Telescope

• Located at a high-altitude site in New Mexico• Will allow students to image star clusters,

nebulae, and galaxies for themselves• Teachers are invited to use the Internet

telescope by logging on to www.pbs.org/seeinginthedark after Sept. 5

• Turn around time from receiving an email request to the image being emailed back will be approximately a day or two.

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Questions?

Thank you for your interest in

“Seeing in the Dark”