YSU unveils new planetarium projection system

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A new, full-dome projection system was unveiled Sept. 21 at Youngstown State University’s Ward Beecher Planetarium which makes its capabilities “nothing short of breathtaking,” said Pat Durrell, professor of astronomy and director of the planetarium.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the planetarium. In 2005, it became one of the first in Ohio to embrace the new full-dome video technology, which allowed these shows to become an integral part of YSU’s introductory astronomy courses and general public programs. The new equipment also allows for rapid access to updated content to keep up with the discoveries made in astronomy, such as flying over planetary landscapes, moving through the Milky Way, or viewing the universe on the largest scales. Tiffany Wolbrecht, planetarium lecturer said, “This means we can use the dome to travel anywhere in the universe in a matter of seconds.”

The new system was paid for solely from gifts from the Ward Beecher and Florence Simon Beecher Foundations, the Nathalie and James Andrews Foundation and Warren and Sandy Young.

Planetarium shows are free and open to the public. For information, including the 2017-18 show schedule, visit www.wbplanetrium.org.