The planetarium at Wayne State College offers multiple shows every semester giving students and visitors the opportunity to come and learn, but to Professor Todd Young, the planetarium means more.  

“I run the planetarium because I love it,” Young said. “I especially love seeing the eyes of children get really big when they see something on the dome that they find impressive. Their universe is expanding before your eyes.” 

The planetarium is open to the public with entrance being a free will donation. WSC covers the costs associated with regular maintenance and the planetarium staff, but a lot of the upgrades come from donations of people coming to the show.  

“Visiting the planetarium is an inexpensive and novel activity that all can enjoy, including families with young children,” Young said. “When the lights go down, the planetarium is an exciting and fully immersive experience where you are not only entertained, but you are learning something too. It is an educational experience via a sucker punch that you’ll enjoy.”  

For WSC students, the planetarium is another great experience they can enjoy and learn about the universe around us while taking a short break from their studies. Students who take an astronomy course also use the planetarium as a classroom. 

“WSC has one of the best planetariums in the state, and it is right here on campus,” Young said. “The planetarium will be decorated for the holiday season and some beautiful holiday shows will be put on. It is truly a fun experience for all.” 

Young said that his hope for the future is that people will always find the planetarium interesting and a destination that can be enjoyed by the whole family.  

“My selfish hope for the planetarium is that I will always be the planetarium director until I retire many years from now,” Young said. “I love running the planetarium and bring the universe to people.”  

There are upcoming shows happening at the planetarium on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. On Nov. 9 there will be shows at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. All shows are located in the Carhart Science building.