McMunn Planetarium: ESU’s Guide to the Galaxy

McMunn Planetarium is located in the Science and Technology Center. Photo Credit / Lian Mlodzienski
McMunn Planetarium is located in the Science and Technology Center. Photo Credit / Lian Mlodzienski
McMunn Planetarium is located in the Science and Technology Center.
Photo Credit / Lian Mlodzienski

By Lian Mlodzienski
News Editor

On September 26 and September 27, McMunn Planetarium will be starting off the semester by taking ESU students and their families to the stars.

There will be two showings of “Autumn Skies” at 7:30 PM and 8:15 PM on Friday, September 26. There will be four showings of “Passport to the Universe” at 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 27.

Because of Family Weekend, student workers will be situated at the entrances to the Hoeffner Science and Technology Center to help guide interested individuals to the McMunn Planetarium.

For these shows you must preregister online at http://esu.edu/familyevents. Tickets for the shows are free, but there is a maximum capacity that the planetarium can hold, so sign up quickly.

Josephine Mlodzienski, a local community member, anticipates going to the show “Autumn Skies.”

She said, “I think it is very interesting that we have a local planetarium show and I feel lucky that I am able to go.”

The show on Friday, “Autumn Skies,” is a guide to what is visible in the sky during the fall season.

Over the course of the year, what can be seen changes due to the Earth’s rotation. For example, as the Earth rotates different constellations can be seen.

The show on Saturday, “Passport to the Universe,” positions Earth in the cosmos.

The Earth is only one planet in one solar system in one galaxy. There are many planets, solar systems, and galaxies of which we are only a small part.

ESU has held other planetarium shows in the past.

Briana Magistro, an ESU senior majoring in biochemistry, said, “The shows were very cool. The 3-D view made the show very exciting.”

She continued, “I liked that the show shared a lot of interesting facts and discoveries about space.”

Zachary Gotthardt, an ESU senior majoring in marine science and biology, said, “The kids loved it! It gave them a new perspective on our solar system.”

If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Kashner at pkashner@esu.edu or Dr. Mooney at emooney2@esu.edu.

Email lian at:
lmlodzien1@live.esu.edu