A new era of exploration begins at Marietta College on Saturday, April 25, as the College celebrates the reopening of the upgraded Anderson Hancock Planetarium. The transformation was made possible through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Facilities grant, institutional investment from the College, and the collective generosity of more than 100 alumni and donors. That support includes a significant lead gift from Dr. Carole Wylie Hancock ’75 through the estate of her late husband, Professor Emeritus Whit Hancock. A Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony and community open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Constructed nearly two decades ago, the original planetarium was established through the generosity of Dave ’78 and Brenda Rickey in honor of beloved physics professors Dr. Les Anderson and Dr. Whit Hancock, and this latest investment builds on that enduring legacy.
“The transformation of the planetarium is a powerful example of partnership in action. We are grateful to the USDA for their Community Facilities grant, and to the alumni and donors who collectively made this project possible through their generosity,” said Bethany McFarland Leslie ’12, vice president for Advancement. “The College was equally committed, investing alongside these partners to ensure this space continues to inspire curiosity, discovery, and learning for generations of students.”
The upgrade, completed in March, represents a significant investment in the future of STEM education and community programming at the College. The installation of a new, high-performance digital projection system, Digistar 2026, replaces the planetarium’s previous Digistar 3 technology. The cutting-edge system delivers brighter, sharper, and more immersive visuals than ever before, with higher resolution, richer color, and improved contrast that greatly enhance the viewing experience for both students and visitors.
This transformation extends beyond astronomy, opening new possibilities for interdisciplinary learning in geology, anatomy, and other fields. With a more user-friendly interface, automated projector alignment, and fully integrated system controls, the upgrade transforms how students engage with complex concepts and offers more dynamic learning experiences.
Together, these advancements position Marietta College at the forefront of experiential STEM education, demonstrating the transformative power of strategic investment in educational infrastructure.
“We are thrilled to officially launch the upgraded Anderson Hancock Planetarium. Returning visitors will immediately notice an increased “wow” factor, with brighter, more colorful, and higher-resolution imagery on the dome,” said Dr. Ann Bragg, planetarium director. “Even more exciting is what the upgrade makes possible: an enhanced capacity to present and create cutting-edge educational visualizations for our students and the broader community, supported by a global network of Digistar users sharing high-quality, customizable content.”
The planetarium continues to combine its longstanding traditional analog starball projector with a state-of-the-art digital system. This hybrid approach preserves the precision of the traditional starball while expanding the capabilities of full-dome visualization technology. Upgrades also included enhancements to the planetarium’s supporting technology and infrastructure, including new computing systems, updated lighting, and an improved console area. These changes allow for greater ease of use and more seamless program delivery.
For students and faculty, the enhanced system creates opportunities for hands-on learning while enabling students to develop and share original content through a global network of software users. Building on these capabilities, the College plans to expand its planetarium seminar course, where students can operate the system and produce immersive educational programming.
For the broader community, the reopening ensures continued access to high-quality programming. The Anderson Hancock Planetarium regularly offers free public shows and hosts school field trips, scout groups, and other community visits, serving as a unique educational resource for the region.
Following the ribbon cutting, visitors are invited to view programs that showcase the planetarium’s new capabilities. Shows will run every 30 minutes until 4 p.m., giving guests the flexibility to explore throughout the day.
The Anderson Hancock Planetarium is located on Marietta College’s historic campus, adjoining the Rickey Science Center at the corner of Fourth and Butler streets. The 4,400-square-foot facility features theater-style seating for 102 guests and is fully accessible for guests with disabilities. The planetarium supports Marietta College’s mission to bring innovative, inspiring, and educational programming to the community.
For more information about the Anderson Hancock Planetarium, visit marietta.edu/planetarium or contact planetarium@marietta.edu.