Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend

Experience. Learn. Share.

For years, it’s been the place where thousands of young people and adults come to learn about the universe and worlds beyond our reach.

The Erie Planetarium served as a resource for the Erie community for more than fifty years, and it continues today as the Yahn Planetarium, now a part of Penn State Behrend. The planetarium is located in the School of Science complex on the Behrend campus.

***No Public Programming on Thursday, June 28, 2018, and Saturday, June 30, 2018***

 

Telescopic Observing Nights

2018 Dates: June 28, July 5, July 12, and July 26

Times: 9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

This summer is particularly good for astronomers as the sky is packed with bright planets. Behrend astronomers will host nights of planet-observing sessions.

Planets visible this summer after sunset are Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Some of the planets will be low in the southeastern sky, so sessions will take place on the top level of the Burke parking deck off of Technology Drive.

A fully-automated 11-inch telescope will be used for the telescopic observing nights. This equipment includes a solar filter for observing the Sun and a camera adapter for taking pictures with a cell phone.

Parking is available for visitors either at the Burke parking deck, or across the street at the AMIC building. An elevator is available to transport visitors to the observation area.

Check back to this page for status updates, in the event of clouds or inclement weather, a cancellation notice will be posted to this page.