VERMILION — Some say the universe is slowly expanding.

So is the place where you can learn about it, thanks to an inflatable planetarium that will literally be blown up for an evening of family oriented star shows March 24 at the Carriage Barn at Vermilion River Reservation in the Lorain County Metro Parks.

Needing about 45 minutes to inflate and get it ready, the planetarium comes from the Lake Erie Science and Nature Center in Bay Village.

“It’s physically carried in and sets up pretty fast,” science center coordinator Shawn Salamone said. “All you basically need is a 21-by-21-foot space, with 10½ -foot ceiling clearances.”

Capable of holding up to 25 children or a smaller number of adults, the inflatable dome gives kids the impression they’re leaving their own world to enter one of mystery and awe through a tunnel they crawl through.

“We’ve also taken it to nursing homes where we lift it up to take wheelchairs in,” Salamone said.

Despite the temporary nature of the planetarium, science center planetarium staffers are able to stage first-rate shows using a computerized “starball” that projects images of stars and planets just as permanent planetariums do.

“You can get the same expertise and explanations there as you would in any planetarium,” Salamone said. “We can present anything from simple programs for toddlers on laps, with sunsets and sunrises, to very sophisticated programming for adult astronomy buffs. We can customize programs for particular audiences.”

Purchased with a grant, the inflatable dome supplements the center’s permanent Walter R. Schuele Planetarium.

“Not everybody can get to us, so this way we can take the planetarium to them,” Salamone said. “It really helps with our outreach programming.”

Working in conjunction with the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the portable planetarium shows always include the latest NASA photos and news.

For Salamone, one of the joys of the traveling dome is seeing how its programs connect with people young and old. “It’s neat to see the light bulbs come on for people,” he said. “It’s so easy when you can use models and project images. We’ve had so few chances to see the real sky these past few months.”

The upcoming 30-minute programs will be led by the science center’s Jay Renolds. Kids in attendance also will get the chance to make a take-home craft with Renee Elias of the Oberlin NASA Center.

Anyone interested in attending can sign up by March 22. Programs will be 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. The planetariums shows are recommended for children 5 and older. Call (440) 458-5121 or e-mail: LCMPark@LorainCountyMetroParks.com.

Contact Steve Fogarty at 329-7146 or sfogarty@chroniclet.com.

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