Physics students light up sky with lasers

Smoke, 3-D laser effects and 2,000 watts of stereo power have filled 119 Osmond the past three weekends.

Tomorrow night is the last time this semester to catch the laser light show organized by the Society of Physics Students.

The shows come in two varieties: The music of The Doors and Rush, and a separate show that features the music of Pink Floyd.

Some of the groups' best known tunes are featured, including "Light My Fire" and "Riders on the Storm" by The Doors, and "Tom Sawyer" and "Spirit Of Radio" by Rush.

Concert favorites from Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall are also presented.

"We chose the Doors, Rush and Pink Floyd because it's dynamic music and is perfect for laser light shows. It's also good music that people would like," said David Volpe (sophomore-chemistry), a coordinator for the shows.

The Society of Physics Students planned for six months to prepare this series of laser light shows, Volpe added.

Laser light shows feature laser beams that are bounced off mirrors. The mirrors are controlled by a computer to change the size and shape of the laser images, explained Eric Mamajek (senior-astronomy and physics).

Before the show begins, the disembodied voice of the announcer commands, "If you see something you like, make some noise. You're not in a cemetery."

The crowd eagerly complies as they sing along with the lyrics of virtually every song.

Laser light images of various cartoon characters such as Bart Simpson make cameo appearances during some of the songs. The crowd also roared with approval when the Nittany Lion insignia appeared.

Laser light shows have been staged at the University for many years, but this series presented more laser manipulations.

Previously, laser light shows at the University had consisted of just a couple of red lasers, but now the show includes over $20,000 worth of equipment, Mamajek said.

The equipment was a combination of property owned by the physics department, the Society of Physics Students and items from individual members of the club.

The organizers borrowed red lasers from the physics department and own a yellow laser of their own. Volpe and his brother owned some of the stereo equipment and four lasers.

Several members of the Society of Physics Students are planning to go into business setting up laser light shows, Mamajek said.

Mamajek, an officer in the club, said he wanted to create an entirely different show from the ones performed on campus 15 years ago.

"We hope to make the new show something of a tradition," he said.

Mamajek also added he was favorably impressed with the shows' turnout so far.

"I think it's great that students take so much of their time to entertain students," Marianne Elias (senior-French) said. "The show isn't as great as one you would see in an Omni theater, but it is still an entertaining show."