If you’ve ever wanted to experience outer space up close, the Fred G. Dale Planetarium offers multiple opportunities to see space from a new angle.
Starting January 26, the planetarium will be offering multiple shows this semester that offer a wide variety of entertainment for people of all ages.
“We always strive for educational and entertaining content with the selection of our shows,” JJ Guenther, a part time employee of the planetarium, said. “This weekend’s shows are about stars, the different kinds of stars and life cycle of stars. Also, the shows will have information about astronaunts’ training, equipment and duties they have.”
The planetarium was built in 1969 and was fully upgraded and renoved in 2010.
“The technology was fully upgraded and there were renovations to the lobby and the show room,” Todd Young, the director of the planetarium, stated. “Now that it is 2024, it is time to upgrade technology again, and the more people that come to visit the planetarium, the support will show for those upgrades.”
The planetarium experience is different for all people, but both Young and Guenther have favorite parts of working these shows.
“My favorite part of running the planetarium is hearing peoples audible gasps of how spectacular the various images look,” Young said. “People have even gotten motion sickness because they feel like they are actually moving through space.”
Guenther started working at the planetarium as a campus job, but it ended up turning into much more then that.
“It has been an amazing experience by helping me get some practical experience teaching and presenting since I am an education major,” Guenther said. “I love hosting shows for families and students. It truly is a highlight of my time here at Wayne.”
Not only are there public shows, groups of people can also reserve the planetarium for a private show or event. The group can pick what show or astronomy lesson they would like to hear about.
“We have even had two weddings reserve the planetarium in the past!” Young said.
All shows are open to the public and free, but the planetarium will gladly accept any donations into the donation box in the lobby. There are also special shows coming up for both Easter and the upcoming solar eclipse.
To find out exactly all the dates and times of the planetarium shows visit, wsc.edu/planetarium.
“Please mark these dates on your calendar and come to the planetarium to learn more and enjoy,” Young said.
