Friday, April 19, 2013

Stary Stary Night

The O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium at Young Harris College was opened in 1979 through the philanthropy of Wayne and Grace Rollins. This unique space features a state-of-the-art GOTO Chronos Space Simulator star projector, a state-of-the-art device that uses light guide technology to project a realistic and beautiful starry sky. With high-speed, computer-calculated positioning, a simple click of a mouse sets the sky for any time in the past, present or future. Installed at Young Harris in 2002, the projector was the first installation of the Chronos model anywhere in the world. A Sky-Skan Definiti fulldome digital projection system was added in 2008. Representing the next generation in planetarium technology, the system creates an immersive and engaging image over the entire dome surface and a powerful “you-are-there” experience for the audience.

Recently renovated in 2011 with comfortable seating for 104 under a 40-foot-diameter dome, Rollins Planetarium offers public shows and educational opportunities for school groups throughout the year. Rollins Planetarium is located in the Maxwell Center on the campus of Young Harris College.

Public Show Schedule for 2013


Saturn: Jewel of the Heavens

Presented May 10 & 17, June 7 & 14, July 5 & 12 at 8:30 p.m.
One of the most beautiful and magnificent planets in our solar system, Saturn is a symbol of all that is exotic and wonderful about the universe. Once the most distant planet we knew of, this mysterious world seemed beyond our reach. Using sophisticated spacecraft, we have finally been able to reach out to this great ringed giant, sailing past the millions of icy particles that make up its glorious rings, uncovering the bizarre faces of its unique moons, and peering down into its turbulent atmosphere through massive and violent storms. Now audiences can explore this “jewel of the heavens” in an immersive 3D environment. This show is a production of Clark Planetarium, distributed by Sky-Skan, Inc.