The William R. Luebke Planetarium is an instrumental learning environment within the Science Community Center. Students studying astronomy utilize the planetarium as a learning laboratory traveling from planet to planet within our solar system and beyond. Such a tool allows one to experience the universe in a way far superior to what images in a textbook can convey. Other classes, such as Earth Science, Geology, Physics, Life Sciences, and the Humanities also visit the planetarium to bring a context to their learning that goes far beyond the classroom.
The planetarium itself consists of a Zeiss Skymaster ZKP-4 LED/fiber-optic star projector coupled with the Zeiss Velvet Projection System. Together, these top-of-the-line projection instruments display unparalleled images of the night sky and full-dome planetarium films onto a 40-foot suspended dome ceiling for an audience of up to 100 people.
MJC Art Professor, Dr. Richard Serros, drew the twelve constellation star charts that are around the outside of the planetarium building. His hand-drawn images were digitized then engraved on metal panels. The primary stars in each constellation were drilled through the panels and LEDs were mounted in the holes. During daylight hours, visitors can view Dr. Serros’ conception of the constellations and at night they can see the actual star patterns.
Tickets are available for purchase in person or online. Shows are held on the second and fourth Saturday of the month at 11am & 12pm. Please plan accordingly as the doors to the planetarium do not open once the program has begun. No food or drink is allowed inside the planetarium.
