The Lourdes College Appold Planetarium has been named “Best Place to See the Stars” by Ohio Magazine. Of Lourdes Planetarium, Ohio Magazine notes, “using real-time 3-D simulations of the skies, its shows are, simply put, out of this world.”
 

“I’m so pleased that the Appold Planetarium received this award,” says Dr. Laura Megeath, Appold Planetarium Coordinator. “This is such an exciting time for astronomy right now and Lourdes Planetarium is the ideal destination for teaching and learning about the latest discoveries and space missions. With our digital technology, we fly through time and space so that everyone can fell like an astronaut!”

Constructed in 1964, the Appold Planetarium (formerly the Copernicus Planetarium) was the first of its kind in Northwest Ohio and was one of only 50 nationwide at the time. In 2006, the Planetarium was renovated thanks to the generous support of James and Patricia Appold.

Today, the Appold Planetarium features SciDome, a single projector fulldome video system powered by Starry Night that allows real-time 3D sky simulation, fulldome shows and multi-media presentations. Starry Night is the world’s most comprehensive astronomy software. Its starfield quality allows astronomical detail and teaching capabilities that surpass any other digital planetarium system available.         

Throughout the year, visitors can experience a variety of different shows at the Planetarium including: BIG, Black Holes, Dawn of the Space Age, Into the Night, Journey to the Planets, Oasis in Space and Season of Light. Currently the Appold Planetarium is showing Field Trip to the Moon, a virtual trip to our closest neighbor in space, on January 23 and 30, and on February 13 and 27, 2010. For more information visit www.lourdes.edu/appold.

Dr. Laura Megeath