Shows

School Groups and Public Shows

Planetarium shows for school groups or other organizations are available by reservation nominally on Thursdays between 10 am and 2 pm.  We now have a flat fee of $85 per 1-hr show for groups.  Public shows are still free.  For more detailed information about show times, planetarium location, and the current schedule, see our planetarium schedule page. For group reservations, please e-mail Dr. Jones at: jjones@northgeorgia.edu.  The Coleman Planetarium information line at (706) 864-1471 will have updates on any special or unscheduled events at the planetarium.  Please do not leave a message on the planetarium line, its primary use is for announcements.  The primary method of contact for the planetarium is through Dr. Jones' e-mail. 

Facilities

The planetarium is located in the Health & Natural Sciences Building which is situated one block west of the main campus on Sunset Dr.  ("To see the stars, wait for Sunset.")  The planetarium is located on the second floor of the atrium section behind the large lecture hall.  Take the long corridor with astronomical art and displays just to the left of room 232 (large lecture hall), turn right at the end to find the double door entrance for the planetarium (room 234).  Click here for local maps to the Observatory and Planetarium.

The star theater seats 46 and houses a Spitz 512 planetarium projector which can display 1000 northern and southern sky stars on a thirty-foot diameter dome. The effect is a realistic simulation of the night sky as seen from anywhere on the surface of the Earth at any time of night and at any epoch from the ancient past to the far future.  In addition, an automated cove lighting system and CRT projector can provide special effects to lift you into the solar system on voyages to the planets.

The five naked-eye planets, the sun, and the moon can be projected in their correct relationship to the celestial sphere. Daily and annual motion of the stars, planets, moon (with phases) and sun provide an invaluable teaching aid for understanding the basic celestial motions and their connection to time and the seasons.

Video projection combined with a multi-media computer and access to the World Wide Web enable the planetarium presentations to incorporate the latest imagery and video from the astronomical community, NASA, and NGCSU's own observatory.