YSU Planetarium offers NASA galaxy show that’s out of this world

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Two mural-sized images of the Messier 101 galaxy, digitally photographed by NASA’s Great Observatories, are on display at the Ward Beecher Planetarium at Youngstown State University.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration selected YSU’s planetarium as a permanent site for the images of the galaxy, known also as M101. Located more than 22 million light years from Earth, it is nearly twice the size of the Milky Way Galaxy.

Patrick Durrell, planetarium director and an assistant professor of physics and astronomy, said the unveiling of the framed photographs in the planetarium lobby kicks off a series of campus events planned for YSU’s observance of 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy.

YSU is one of about 100 science centers, museums, planetariums and educational venues across the country chosen by NASA to display its galaxy photographs.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.