Benedum Planetarium at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center

Benedum Planetarium

Planetarium Feature Presentations:

Now showing: THE PLANETS
“The Planets” is the feature program in the Benedum Planetarium for the summer. The International Astronomical Union is the association of astronomers empowered to define what planets are. In late 2006, it adopted a definition that effectively removed Pluto’s status as a major planet. This decision has created much discussion and controversy. “The Planets” examines the characteristics of the current list of planets, along with photographs from spacecraft sent to make observations and collect data.
Hours	Saturdays & Sundays 1 pm and 3 pm
Admission	Adult non-members $3 Adult members $2.50 Children (under 12) non-members $1.75 Children members $1.25

Now showing: Evening Skies of Spring
A 20-minute, family planetarium program that gives a brief description of some of the major stars and constellations visible in the Spring sky, and how to locate them. The program also contains a brief summary on what you are really seeing when you look up and see all of those points of light in a clear, dark sky.
Hours	Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm
Admission	Adult non-members $3 Adult members $2.50 Children (under 12) non-members $1.75 Children members $1.25

Coming this Summer: Country Lasers

Some of the best country music performers are featured in this all new laser program program! Will be showing Friday & Saturday evenings at 8 pm & 9:15 pm, June 22 through August 2, 2008.

Also Featuring ViewSpace from NASA
Free with zoo admission!
Located in the Benedum Planetarium, this high definition broadcast from the Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland features the latest imaging and science from several of NASA’s current missions for solar system and Earth.

Astronomy Day
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Benedum Planetarium will be celebrating its 19th Annual Astronomy Day 2008 from 10:30 am to 4 pm on Saturday, May 10. “Evening Skies of Spring”, a 20-minute planetarium program pointing out the major stars and constellations visible in the night skies during spring will be presented at 1 pm. The new half-hour family planetarium program, “The Planets”, will be presented at 2 pm. "Cosmic Stones", a talk on meteorites will be presented at 3 pm. Family astronomy activities will be offered from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

A model of the International Space Station will be on display as well as a very impressive collection of meteorites on loan from a local Wheeling resident. Door prizes will be given away toward the end of the day’s activities. The event is free with zoo admission.

Weather permitting, planetarium staff and members of the Oglebay Astronomy Club will be at the Schrader Environmental Center’s Speidel Observatory during the evening for public viewing of the spring night skies. Several telescopes will be set up to view Mars, Saturn, the moon and a few deep sky objects.