Sneak Preview of New Planetarium at University of Nebraska at Kearney

I feel privileged!  I just returned this afternoon from a sneak preview of UNK’s new indoor universe—a 60-seat theatre within a 35-foot diameter great white ball in the heart of campus. Physics professor and planetarium maestro Dr. Jose Mena-Werth gave his first star show to a very small group of, as I said, privileged, guests to help him shake down some of the new and very impressive technology housed in this space age setting.

The UNK Planetarium will serve UNK students, area schools, and the general public. Set under a 30-foot interior doom, the Zeiss star projector can show the sky including the sun, moon, planets, and more than 7,000 stars as they would be seen from any place on the Earth at any time. The Planetarium’s state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and control systems will be used to create educational, multimedia programs on astronomy and other topics. In addition to star shows, Dr. Mena-Werth expects to provide visitors the experience of a Nebraska thunderstorm, sunrise and sunset,  and other natural phenomena.

Regular shows will begin in January, including two scheduled public shows each month. The Physics Department staff will also give shows to school groups and private organizations. To schedule a show or for more information, contact Kristie Mosher at 308-865-8277 or via e-mail at mosherk@unk.edu.