The three planetariums in Alaska, all housed in schools, provide on going education for Alaskan youth. Corporate sponsors provide major funding for Alaska's Planetariums, and dedicated curators add to the mix, sometimes in what might be considered "eccentric" ways.

According to Michael the state doesn't offer much, if any, support. Volunteers are needed. Right now Michael is the only one. He even went as far as Chicago to complete a Solstice Project he was working on. He accomplished many things on the trip; a release from the grip of "creative block", a visit and stay with his brother, camaraderie and bonding with his eleven year old niece, Eden, and along with her help, the completion of the Solstice Project. Michael is a transplant to Alaska himself.

While in Chicago Michael had a lengthy conversation with Ron Farrell at Bethany Sciences in Connecticut. He had racked his brain for ideas for the project long enough and suddenly the "nutty professor" image took hold of him. He even thought it was zany, but he paid $1,000.00 for a bag of rocks. Not just any rocks, mind you. What we had here were authentic and certified rocks from Mars and a fragment from the Moon.

Fragments were taped to certificates Michael and Eden created together. Michael's face smiles happily on the upper right corner and he has a title. It is now, "Man in the Moon". Michael in his planetarium world has control over the sun. His respite from controlling clouds during usual days of mist is found inside this world. Michael causes the sun to rise and set, where and for how long. I too am a proud owner of a piece of Mars and the Moon and I couldn't be happier.

The night of the presentation I received a message. These words say it best…

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."2 [Marianne Williamson] [Nelson Mandela used this at his inauguration speech in 1994]

Often Michael mentioned the sun when it appeared on the ceiling of the planetarium dome and referred to it saying, …"Now that's a rare site in Juneau."

Mr. Orelove's light and love shines for the Planetarium. I'm thankful I was let to see it. Michael is a "rare" event.

Sidebar