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Planetarium shows for school groups or other organizations are available by reservation Monday through Friday, depending on class schedule during the semester. Free public shows are presented every Friday from 8:00 to 9:00 PM while NGCSU is in session.
The primary mission of the planetarium is to provide science education for students and the general public. It serves as an important educational resource for school systems in the North Georgia Area, and students from pre-school through college.
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. 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.
For group reservations, please e-mail Dr. Jones at: jjones@ngcsu.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 planetarium is located in the Health & Natural Sciences Building which is situated one block west of the main campus on Sunset Dr. 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). |
| The Observatory-Planetarium Public Education Nights (OPEN) Program & Show |
This program begins with a public planetarium show most Fridays at 8 pm.
The 1 hour, free public shows are presented at the planetarium located in room 234 of the Health & Natural Sciences Building and are scheduled every Friday between January 9th and April 17th, except for Friday, March 20th (Spring Break). The doors are open for seating at 7:30 pm and the show begins promptly at 8 pm. No admittance after the show begins. Please mute pagers and cell phones; also no flash photography during the show.
All shows are presented live. We do not currently have the capabilities for completely recorded or automated shows. Since the shows are live with opportunities for spontaneous interaction from the audience, no two shows are exactly the same. However, most shows have the following format. The show (especially school shows) may begin with one or two short themed presentations. The current possible short themes are "The Space Race", "How To See the Constellations", or "The Colors of Stars".
In 2009, we have a longer themed presentation called "To the Moon and Beyond!", which tells about the first humans to reach the Moon and how we will return. Then, we present a semi-automated introduction to the star talk featuring music, short videos, lighting transitions, and planetarium projector deployment.
The star talk under the simulated night sky of the planetarium usually features the current evening sky, but often includes information about the morning sky (before sunrise) as well. For "To the Moon and Beyond!", the ending star talk transitions directly to the show's conclusion. The public shows will feature another new themed presentation that will be integrated into an extended star talk.
This as yet untitled presentation will feature several short "vignettes" about the night sky, illustrating our understanding of the sky and the celestial objects we have observed from ancient times, through the present, as well as what knowledge our instruments and probes might unveil in the future. The show ends with a musical conclusion featuring lighting transitions as the projector is stowed or a short astronomically or space related music video (especially school shows). The current possible music videos are "The Hubble Space Telescope's 15 Year Anniversary Music Video" or "The Mars Exploration Rover Mission Overview".
The year 2009 is the 40th anniversary of the first Moon landing and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's telescopic investigations. It has been designated The International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations.
In honor of the IYA and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's observations, our current public show features the new (untitled) themed presentation about the night sky described above. Our school show (which we may present at the public show during part of July) is entitled "To the Moon and Beyond!" and honors the 40th anniversary of the 1st Moon landing. Occasionally, special presentations about current astronomical or space events may replace the current show. |
| NGCSU - North Georgia Astronomical Observatory |
Weather permitting, we invite visitors out to the North Georgia Astronomical Observatory (NGAO) for viewing through the 16" Boller & Chiven research grade telescope.
Directions will also be provided at the end of the Planetarium show. Call the planetarium information line at 706-864-1471 for any updates about special events. Please don't leave a message on the Planetarium line as it is intended only for special messages about upcoming shows or cancellations.
School and other group shows may be reserved this spring semester primarily on Thursdays between 10 am and 2 pm except for Thursday, March 19th (Spring Break). For more information about reserving free planetarium shows for school or other groups, e-mail Dr. Jones at jjones@ngcsu.edu.
Observatory and Planetarium Info: The NGAO is open to students any clear night Monday through Friday while classes are in session. The observatory is open Monday through Thursday beginning 7:30 pm EST during standard time (9:30 pm EDT during daylight savings time). The general public and students are also invited to come out on Friday nights after the planetarium show for Observatory Public Education Nights (OPEN), weather permitting. The Friday OPEN program always begins at 9:30 pm during daylight or standard time. |
| Contact, Address and Website |
| Phone: 706-864-1470 - Address: North Georgia College & State University, 82 College Circle, Dahlonega, GA 30597 - NGAO is located approximately 4 miles west of Dahlonega off of highway 9,
0.4 mile past the junction with highway 52. - NGCSU Planetarium & Observatory Website |
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