The CSN Dale Etheridge Planetarium offers a unique celestial experience, attracting students and the community with its rich history and educational programs. Managed by Dr. Andrew Kerr and Lisa Goodman, the planetarium stands as a beacon of astronomical education in Southern Nevada.
Established in 1977, the CSN Planetarium has been an integral part of the college. It was thanks to the efforts of Dale Etheridge, who was instrumental in its creation. Etheridge, who was brought in from the Griffith Observatory, dedicated 38 years to the planetarium, laying a strong foundation for its current success.
“Dale was here for the first 38 years. It was his baby,” Andrew said. “He did everything for the planetarium. Even at the time, he would go out and bring people to the planetarium, bring schools to the planetarium. So he really spread that recognition back in the day that we’re here to get schools involved.”
One of only two planetariums in the state of Nevada, it boasts rare NASA artifacts, including a space shuttle tire that visitors can touch and an astronaut wall of fame with signed portraits from pioneers like Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
“Our NASA artifacts are a big hit with visitors,” Lisa said. “We have a tire from one of the space shuttle missions out for everyone to touch, unlike other museums that have it behind glass.”
The planetarium helps students "destress" throughout the year with "meditation Mondays," offering peaceful imagery and calming sounds in short sessions open to all.
One of its most popular programs is the Pink Floyd laser light show, featuring visuals paired with Dark Side Of The Moon. Regular public shows are held every Friday and Saturday on diverse topics ranging from black holes to lunar landings.
“Pink Floyd has been our biggest moneymaker ever,” Andrew said. “We’ve had it since last year, and it remains incredibly popular.”
Education is central to the planetarium’s mission. It publishes "On Orbit," a monthly magazine distributed statewide to public schools and libraries featuring articles from NASA, sky calendars, and an "Astro Kids" page.
“It’s a joy to create content for ‘On Orbit,’ especially the kids’ page,” Lisa said. “We aim to make astronomy accessible and fun for children.”
The planetarium also offers field trips and private reservations throughout the year with tailored educational experiences including hands-on STEM activities.
“Our field trips and private reservations are a fantastic way for students to engage with science,” Lisa said. “We offer these throughout the entire calendar year, even during summer.”
The CSN Planetarium actively engages with the local community through various outreach programs such as "Night at the Planetarium," part of the Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival which includes free shows and telescope viewing sessions facilitated by the Las Vegas Astronomical Society.
“Community engagement is crucial for us,” Andrew said. “Events like ‘Night at the Planetarium’ allow us to share our love for astronomy with a broader audience.”
Looking ahead, plans are underway to expand offerings and enhance facilities including more private events aimed at raising funds for additional resources as well as developing new full-dome shows and animations.
“The future looks bright for the CSN Planetarium,” Lisa said. “We have so many exciting plans, from new shows to more community events.”
UPCOMING EVENTS:
August 1, 2024 - Storytime Under The Stars at 2:30 p.m., pairing storybooks with short planetarium films.
August 8, 2024 - Science of Ice Cream STEM Workshop at 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m., teaching children about ice cream making science.
These family-friendly events are free; please reserve tickets in advance.
For more information about upcoming shows and events visit their website or follow them on social media under CSN Dale Etheridge Planetarium.