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Travel to outer space without ever leaving the ground! That’s how you will feel after you experience the museum’s 65 seat Hoover-Price Planetarium.    Over 60 projectors show the aurora, meteor shower, an asteroid, panorama of downtown Canton, clouds, snow, phases of the moon and dozens of constellations.


The Planetarium’s primary projector is a Spitz A3P that shows thousands of stars in the correct color and brightness.  This Spitz is unique because the standard 3000 stars shown was increased to 5000 stars through detailed modification.

The operation of the Planetarium is entirely manual.  Controlled by 283 switches, 60 different projectors allow the presenter to constantly interact with the audience.

Installation was completed in 1964, the same year the current museum building was finished.  Since that time tens of thousands of visitors have viewed our solar system and beyond while in the comfort of the Planetarium.

Presentations are offered weekdays by reservation, and public shows are held every Saturday at 1:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM.  During the summer months shows are held at 1:00 PM Monday-Friday. Please note that children must be 5 years of age or older to attend a planetarium show.

Frequently Asked Questions

2011 Planetarium Programs:

January 1-February 26--Matters of Size
We will explore the great distances and differences in the size of objects in our universe- including the universe itself.
 
February 27--May 1--The 2012 Myth
Many are concerned about the rampant myths around the Mayan Calendar and the end of the world. We will help the public gain some perspective on these strange and disturbing claims.
 
May 2-July 3--The New Telescopes: Bigger, Brighter & Better
A new generation of telescopes is being designed and built using amazing new technology. We will explore some of these new approaches to looking at our universe.
 
 July 4-September 4--Galaxies
The Milky Way is only one galaxy in the local group of about 30. We will learn about the other smaller- and larger- members of our local cluster.
 
 September 5-November 6--Mythconceptions 3 
Misconceptions abound concerning the heavens and the night sky. We will look at some of these ideas and help the public understand some of the actual physics involved.
 
November 7-December 26--Celestial Light
This program is our annual look at the night sky as seen by other cultures and peoples around the world.
 
2012 Shows
 
Jan 2- Feb 26—2012
Feb 27- April 29- Aphophis
April 30- July 1- TRANSITS
July 2 – Sept 2- Race to Space
Sept 3 – Nov 4- Cosmic Trivial Pursuit
Nov. 5 – Dec. 31- Celestial Light
 
*Check out these articles in the Akron-Beacon Journal and Canton Repository written by Planetarium Director, Dave Richards.  Once at the site search for Hoover-Price Planetarium.
 
*For podcasts created by the wilderness center please visit http://www.wildernesscenter.org/podcasts/

*For other planetariums across the country please visit http://www.touristinformationdirectory.com/

*Admission to the Planetarium is included with admission to the Museum.
*No cameras, cell phones or food  permitted in the Planetarium.
*Public presentations are approximately 30- 40 minutes in length.
*School group presentations are 55 minutes long, and incorporate the Ohio State Science Academic Content Standards.