Reinvigorate your fascination with the night sky and gain a better understanding of the relative size and movements of the countless heavenly bodies that make up the Universe at Marietta College's Anderson Hancock Planetarium.

Featured prominently on Marietta College's historic campus, the 4,400-square-foot planetarium adjoins the Rickey Science Center and is located at the corner of Fourth and Butler streets. The facility is handicapped accessible and includes theater-style seating for 102 people.

Named after Emeritus Professors Dr. Les Anderson '55 and Dr. Whit Hancock, the planetarium is equipped with a hybrid projection system that combines an optical-mechanical star projector with a powerful full-dome digital video projector. Marietta College is currently one of a handful of planetariums in the country to feature the Goto Chronos hybrid system, which can replicate the night sky from thousands of years in the past to thousands of years in the future from countless vantage points in the Universe.

The lobby also features quiet study areas and current science programming from NASA's ViewSpace data/video feed.

Planetarium Hours of Operation

Marietta College's Anderson Hancock Planetarium features monthly public shows at varying times and dates. The public shows are free, though donations to help pay for future programming will be accepted.

The lobby area of the planetarium is open during normal weekday business hours (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) to allow community members to view the lobby displays and NASA programming.

School and youth groups can schedule special viewing times by contacting the planetarium.

Planetarium Events

You can see a list of past and upcoming events for the current season here.

Contact the Anderson Hancock Planetarium

For reservations, please send an email to planetarium@marietta.edu (preferred) or leave a message at 740.376.4827. Please include your name, the number of seats you are reserving and your contact information. You will receive a confirmation via email or telephone. Groups larger than 20 are encouraged to schedule a special viewing.

Those without reservations will be admitted on a space-available basis.

Phone: 740.376.4827
planetarium@marietta.edu

 

Mailing Address:

215 Fifth Street
Marietta, OH 45750 USA

The entrance of the planetarium is at the corner of Fourth and Butler streets in downtown Marietta. (see Directions)

Volunteer at the Anderson Hancock Planetarium

Marietta College students can learn how to operate the planetarium and how to program shows by completing the semester-long Planetarium Seminar, which offers one credit hour towards a minor in astronomy. Completion of the seminar allows the student to volunteer at the planetarium.

Community members are also welcome to volunteer during public shows and should contact the planetarium.