Great news for stargazers: St. Petersburg College’s Planetarium is up and running this summer with two free in-person shows each week on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. and on Fridays at 7 p.m. The Planetarium is located at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, on the second floor of the Natural Sciences building at 6605 5th Avenue North in St. Petersburg.

The Wednesday night shows start a little later so that the sun will have set by the time the Planetarium show, led by SPC Astronomer Dr. Craig Joseph, is over. Then, weather permitting, attendees have a chance to look through the college’s 20-inch reflecting telescope on our rooftop observatory.

Parade of Planets

Early risers will be rewarded with a special treat in the pre-dawn sky: a parade of planets! During the last two weeks of June, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be aligned and visible to the naked-eye in the early morning sky. Join us in the planetarium to learn about these planets, and what you can expect to see when you get up before sunrise.

Wednesday shows
June 8, 15, 22
8:30 – 9:45 p.m.

Friday shows
June 10, 17, 24
7 – 8 p.m.

Stars of Summer

Although devoid of planets, there are still many attractions in the evening sky during the summer months. The bright stars of the summer triangle are rising in the east, while the Scorpion dominates the southern sky. Learn about the different types of stars in the summer sky, and how these stars live and die.

Wednesday shows
June 29; July 6, 13, 20
8:30 – 9:45 p.m.

Friday shows
July 1, 8, 15, 22
7 – 8 p.m.

Things to know before you come:

• No reservations are required, but all planetarium shows are on a first-come first-served basis
• Children over the age of 5 are welcome.
• Please be punctual – no one will be admitted after the show begins.

For more information, contact Craig Joseph at 341-4568 or joseph.craig@spcollege.edu, or check out our website.