Radford University Planetarium
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Welcome to the Radford University Planetarium!
The Radford University Planetarium is located in the Center for the Sciences building (925 East Main Street) on the beautiful Radford University campus. The planetarium is the center for astronomy and space science education for the University and the surrounding area. We have regular free public shows and host numerous K-12 and community groups.
2024 Spring Semester
We will have our regular shows on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
No shows on Radford University's spring break - the last show before the break will be Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. We will restart the shows after the break on Wednesday, March 13, at 7 p.m.
If you have a special group of 20 or more people, and would like to arrange a show, please contact Dr. Rhett Herman, rherman@radford.edu, and I will try my best to make that happen (if possible).
On Monday, April 8, from 1 - 5:30 p.m., the Radford University Planetarium will be coordinating an Eclipse Event.
This event will be centered around the Planetarium and the lobby area of the Center for the Sciences. The event will include parking lot C, where we will have solar-viewing telescopes and other means to safely view the eclipse. We will have eclipse-themed planetarium shows every 30 minutes starting at 1:30; the Museum of the Earth Sciences will be open throughout the afternoon; and we will have 1,200 eclipse glasses to give away to event attendees. There will be other activities and various information posters displayed in the lobby area throughout this event.
Please note that Parking Lot C will be blocked off for this event for the telescopes; no vehicles will be able to park in this lot on April 8.
Totality!
On Monday, April 8, there will be an eclipse of our sun by our moon. Here in Radford, we will see up to 87% of our sun blocked by our moon. This will start at 1:58 p.m., peak around 3:13 p.m., and then end around 4:28 p.m. To help understand what's going on, for the next 2 weeks our shows at the Radford University Planetarium will be "Totality!" These will be on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings at 7 p.m., and Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
Everyone in the continental US will experience at least a partial solar eclipse on April 8. Total solar eclipses are a rare and beautiful phenomena, and in this new planetarium show you will learn how eclipses happen, how to safely view one, and where these two eclipses take place. You will learn the history of eclipse watchers including some of the stories and legend that used to be associated with amazing and formerly-fear-inducing celestial events. You will learn about the 1919 eclipse and the observations that confirmed Einstein's world-changing Theory of General Relativity.
This show is produced by the Houston Museum of Natural Science, is approx. 24 minutes long, and has something for all ages.
Please note that Parking Lot C will be blocked off for this event for the telescopes; no vehicles will be able to park in this lot on April 8.
Show Overview
- Location: Center for the Sciences room M75 (Main Street level). Enter through the doors from Parking Lot C. Click on the map for a larger image.
- All shows are free and everyone is welcome to come join us!
- Seating capacity for now: 50
- Shows include a tour of the nighttime sky using our full-dome projection system. Most shows will also have a full-dome, professionally produced show on an astronomical topic. The shows are described below.
- Parking for the evening (7pm) and Saturday morning shows in Lots C and B is free.
- Parking for daytime shows:
- There are 4 metered spaces in Lots C and B, next to the Center for the Sciences.
- There are also several metered spaces in the portion of Parking Lot A that lies directly between Martin Hall and Main Street.
- You can also pick up a free parking day pass by dropping by the Radford University Parking office in Heth Hall, or the Radford University Police Station (intersection of University Drive and Main Street).
- We have hearing-assist receivers for our sound system--please bring your own earphones (1/16 inch [3.5mm] stereo jack).
- No food or drinks allowed in the planetarium!
For more information, contact Planetarium Director Dr. Rhett Herman at rherman@radford.edu.
Schedule a Group Visit
We will resume special showings once the current crisis is resolved. Once that happens, special group showings for groups of 20 or more people may be arranged by contacting Dr. Rhett Herman at rherman@radford.edu (email preferred) or calling 540-831-5441.