By Kevin Jefferies
Commerce – The new planetarium on the A&M-Commerce campus opens to the public this Friday. The facility is part of the new $28 million Science building on campus and offers state-of-the-art technology, a 40-foot dome, and reclined seating for 87 people. The Digistar 3 projection system promises other-worldly views and shows.
The planetarium is used as a classroom and as an outreach tool for the university, but will be open for public shows on weekends beginning this Friday. Show times will be at 7 and 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights. The show Wonders of the Universe will be the debut for the facility. It will utilize the latest images from the Hubble Telescope to take audiences across space and time to explore the wonders of the universe.
Each show will last approximately 45 minutes, and will include a view of the current night sky where constellations, stars, and planets will be shown.
The planetarium has different shows planned through June. Details and a full schedule can be found through the A&M-website at www.tamu-commerce.edu. Admission prices are $3 for children and $4 general admission.