John Deere Planetarium and Carl Gamble Observatory
Season of Light holiday show Dec. 7-13The John Deere Planetarium will present its annual holiday program Dec. 7-13. The planetarium show will be offered Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and weekday evenings at 7 p.m. Season of Light tells the story of how our holiday traditions are connected to the sky through a multimedia show that uses the planetarium sky projector, astronomical images, music and narration, all projected onto a 30-foot dome. Admission is free, but reservations are required. In addition, Augustana’s Fryxell Geology Museum, just adjacent to the planetarium, will be open for visitors the weekend of Dec. 7-8 from 1-4 p.m., and the weeknights of Dec. 9-13 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. |
School group programs are now available. Call 309-794-7318 for more information.
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The observatory features a Celestron C14 computer-driven 14-inch reflector telescope. The observatory is open to the public on special occasions.
Full-dome shows with new projector
The planetarium unveiled a new digital projection system in time for its annual Seasons of Light show in December 2018. (Read more)
A passion for the stars, a mission for Augustana
In 1969, a Saturn V rocket thrust Apollo 11 towards the moon. That same year, Augustana College threw open the doors to its new John Deere Planetarium and Carl Gamble Observatory. (Read more)
Hours
Open to the public during special events; call 309-794-7318 or email Jennifer Milner for more information or program appointments.