Ohio Magazine recently named the Lourdes College Appold Planetarium “Best Place to See the Stars.” (Photo courtesy of Lourdes College)

Of Lourdes Planetarium, Ohio Magazine notes, “using real-time 3-D simulations of the skies, its shows are, simply put, out of this world.”

“I’m so pleased that the Appold Planetarium received this award,” says Dr. Laura Megeath, Appold Planetarium coordinator. “This is such an exciting time for astronomy right now and Lourdes Planetarium is the ideal destination for teaching and learning about the latest discoveries and space missions. With our digital technology, we fly through time and space so that everyone can feel like an astronaut!”

Constructed in 1964, the Appold Planetarium (formerly the Copernicus Planetarium) was the first of its kind in northwest Ohio and was one of only 50 nationwide at the time. In 2006, the planetarium was renovated with support from James and Patricia Appold. Today, it features SciDome, a single projector fulldome video system powered by Starry Night that allows real-time 3-D sky simulation, fulldome shows and multi-media presentations.

Starry Night is astronomy software with starfield quality that allows astronomical detail and teaching capabilities that surpass any other digital planetarium system available.   

Throughout the year, visitors can experience a variety of different shows at the planetarium. Currently showing is “Field Trip to the Moon,” a virtual trip to our closest neighbor in space, Jan. 23 and 30, and Feb. 13 and 27. For more information visit www.lourdes.edu/appold.