Planetarium offers learning opportunities, entertainment

Launched in March 2009, GCSU’s planetarium has opened the eyes of science majors and astronomy fanatics through its extravagant display of all things celestial.

Planning for the planetarium began in 1999 when Herty Hall was renovated, but it wasn’t erected until 2008. Agnes Kim, assistant professor of chemistry, physics and astronomy, took on the lead role of managing the planning of the planetarium. Kenneth McGill, the chair of the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, and Donovan Domingue, associate professor of chemistry, physics and astronomy, were also assets in making the planetarium come to life.

Money for the project came from a combination of funds provided by the Grassmann Foundation as well as the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy.

Anna Morris | gcsunade.com

GCSU’s planetarium, founded by Dr. Agnes Kim, opened in March 2009. It has introduced an exciting new way to learn about astronomy through a variety of shows and detailed images displayed on an overhead dome.

“The technology at the time was very expensive,” McGill said. “As time passed, the cost became more affordable.”

According to Kim, the biggest goal right now is to get more people to come watch the shows. Right now there are several shows available to watch including a kid friendly show called “The Little Star That Could.” Dr. Kim put extra emphasis on how easy it is to view a show at the planetarium.

“It’s free to watch a show and it only takes one person who is interested for us to play a show,” Kim said. “You’re not required to get a big group together to come to the planetarium. All you have to do is go online and sign up to watch a show 24 hours in advance.”

Currently, Kim sees more families and local students interested in the planetarium than GCSU students. Middle school students are frequent visitors because the planetarium has proved to be a perfect field trip destination.

“I like it when younger students come to the planetarium because ultimately what we’re trying to do is draw more kids into science,” Kim said.

Sophomore biology major Coco Esser is one of several students who does not know about the planetarium.

“I honestly didn’t even know we had a planetarium, but now that I do I’d really like to go see it,” Esser said.

By adding more shows, Kim hopes to attract more students to the planetarium.

Junior psychology major Katie Anderson believes that the planetarium should be publicized more.

The planetarium is also catering to families by hosting a family fun night the third week of October. They will play shows and there will also be a haunted house.

For GCSU students, another benefit of having the planetarium is that it is the perfect place for labs. Learning astronomy via an overhead, detailed image is much more effective than astronomy material on a piece of paper.

Posted by Anna Morris on Oct 8 2010. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.