Edinboro Planetarium
Shoot for the Moon and you’ll land in the stars at the PennWest Edinboro Planetarium.
Whether you want to stargaze, journey to distant galaxies or explore the solar system, you’ll find our planetarium to be the gateway to the universe..
Retired Planetarium Director Dr. David Hurd
It's the end of an era. After a third of a century (1992-2025) Planetarium Director Dr. David Hurd has retired and moved on to the next phase of his life. The planetarium will certainly never be the same...but the shows must go on.
Mr. Roger Sargent will be conducting public evening shows in 2025/26 under the direction of Dr. Richard Lloyd. Sargent has been a volunteer for 29 years in the observatory and planetarium and will keep some of Dr. Hurd's traditions alive while adding a different flair to the programs.
Whether you want to learn about the movements of Starship Earth or journey to the most distant galaxies, there will be something for everybody at the shows. And to quote Dr. Hurd, "Keep looking up!"
Do You Love Science? Consider Joining CHAOS
CHAOS (Cooper Hall Ambassadors of Science) provides PennWest Edinboro students of all majors with an opportunity to work directly with K-12 students and the public in planetarium operations and as docents for the museum.
Events at the Planetarium
The PennWest Edinboro Planetarium offers an array of family-friendly educational programs that are out of this world.
These events take place in the evening and are open to all community members and students
free of charge; however, reservations are required.
Upcoming shows
Already know which show you want to attend? Then make your reservation.
The Night Sky Above Edinburgh
September 5th (Friday) @ 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Edinboro graduate Shayne Clark sets the stage by paralleling astronomy and the constellations with the Scottish Enlightenment and how it has shaped our worldview today. Next, Roger Sargent will take you on a planetarium tour of the night sky over Edinburgh and Edinboro. An optional tour of the third floor observatory will follow and if it's not cloudy we will observe with telescopes.
Meteroids, Meteors, Meteorites, Asteroids and Craters
September 24th (Wednesday) @ 7:00 p.m.
This is a dynamic high energy presentation by Professor Scott McKenzie, who is one of the world's leading experts on what happens to objects when they hit Earth and what happens to Earth when it gets hit. A very brief planetarium tour of the night sky will follow and after that you will have the option of touring the third floor observatory and looking through telescopes if it's not cloudy.
Homecoming or Homegoing?
October 10th (Friday) @ 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Which way are you heading in the Universe as you sail on the journey of a lifetime on a starship named Earth? Roger Sargent will point to the many directions you are coming and going in the vast cosmos. An optional tour of the third floor observatory will follow and if it's not cloudy we will observe with telescopes.
A Night Under the Andromeda Galaxy
October 20th (Monday) @ 7:00 p.m.
This is a 45 minute presentation that may be a little complicated for children under 10. We will discuss galaxies and what's inside them and we will visit the closest large spiral galaxy to our Milky Way Galaxy. After that, there will be 15 minutes of navigating the current night sky on the planetarium dome. For those who choose to stay, the real excitement begins if it's not cloudy. We will venture upstairs to the observatory to see the real Andromeda Galaxy with telescopes.
What can I see at Night with a Telescope?
November 13th (Thursday) @ 7:00 p.m.
How about binoculars? What if I have neither?
Roger Sargent answers those questions and more, as he takes you on a tour of the night
sky, showing you what is visible tonight and what to expect as winter approaches.
An optional tour of the third floor observatory will follow and if it's not cloudy
we will observe with telescopes.
'Tis the Season....
December 4th (Thursday) @ 7:00 p.m.
Learn about the stars and constellations of the frigid winter night sky, including the star above Santa's workshop and the Christmas star over 2,000 years ago. An optional tour of the third floor observatory will follow. If it's not cloudy we will use telescopes to look at hot stars in the cold air.
Directions and Parking
The PennWest Edinboro Planetarium is located on the first floor of the Cooper Science Center, with entry through the Museum in Room 161. Cooper Science Center is located off Darrow Road.
Cooper Science Center
230 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444
Driving Directions | Campus Map
Parking is convenient and easy to find. Please follow the instructions for Event Parking.
Contact Us
Planetarium
161 Cooper Hall
230 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: 814-732-2493
Roger Sargent
Planetarium Coordinator
Email: rsargent@pennwest.edu