Delta College Planetarium

05/12/2023

About a third of the way up the southern sky at dusk is the planet Saturn. So what's that medium bright star below it? It's , the "Mouth of the Fish"! The Southern Fish that is, Pisces Austrinus. The has found a protoplanetary disk around it, a birth site of new planets. Check out this week's podcast at https://bit.ly/418I1eS

01/12/2023

The Space Telescope's Near-Infrared Camera reveals a 50 light-years-wide portion of the Milky Way’s dense center. An estimated 500,000 stars shine in this image of the Sagittarius C region, along with some as-yet unidentified features.

A cluster of protostars – stars that are still forming and gaining mass – are producing outflows that glow like a bonfire at the base of the large infrared-dark cloud, indicating that they are emerging from the cloud’s protective cocoon and will soon join the ranks of the more mature stars around them. Smaller infrared-dark clouds dot the scene, appearing like holes in the starfield.
https://bit.ly/47ZeZk9

30/11/2023

Tis the season that some of us think about as gifts. What should you look for in a telescope? Find out in this week's podcast at https://bit.ly/3T8pI7F
Also check out our Astronomy Resources page at www.delta.edu/planetarium/astronomy.html and scroll down to the "Observers Tools" section.

28/11/2023

Our holiday music light show is back! Specially designed for all ages, enjoy your favorite holiday tunes with fun and vibrant surround sound and imagery. Fridays and Saturdays at 2pm through Dec 23. Details and tickets at www.delta.edu/planetarium/

23/11/2023

We are open Saturday, Nov 24! Tickets for "Enchanted Reef" (2pm) and "Eclipse" (3:30pm) can be purchased in person or in advance at www.delta.edu/planetarium
Tickets for (6:00 and 7:30pm) can ONLY be purchased online at https://tickets.beautifica.show/baycity/ (These are handled exclusively by the vendor James Hood Music LLC.) Enjoy!

17/11/2023

One of the most beautiful star clusters in the entire sky has returned - the ! Visible to the naked eye low in the east after dark, it's the subject of our latest podcast at https://soundcloud.com/backyardastronomer/111323-pleiades-star-cluster

Look low the east after dark and you should see a pretty little cluster of stars. Its shape might remind you of a miniature little dipper, but it’s actually the famous Pleiades Star Cluster.

15/11/2023

Have you ever seen Jupiter or Saturn through a telescope? Friday, Nov 17 is your chance! Beginning at 7pm, join us for a free planetarium show about the planets, followed (weather permitting) by viewing with telescopes from our rooftop observation deck with help from the Delta Astronomy Club. The planetarium show plays rain or shine, but the viewing is weather dependent.
www.delta.edu/planetarium

14/11/2023

November 14th 1969, the second mission to land on the moon almost didn't happen as Apollo 12 ascended into a cloudy sky and was struck by lightning not once but twice! Fortunately, Flight Controller John Aaron saved the mission by calling out 'Try SCE to Aux' (Art by James Hervat entitled 'A Kind of Rough Start')

14/11/2023

It is with great sadness that we learned about the passing of astronaut Frank Borman on November 7, 2023. Borman commanded the two-week long Gemini 7 mission with Jim Lovell in Dec 1965, and then the first human flight to orbit the moon in Dec 1968 on Apollo 8 with Jim Lovell and Bill Anders.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/11/frank-borman-commander-of-the-first-mission-to-orbit-the-moon-has-died/

10/11/2023

Join us Saturday at 1pm for a special presentation about the Planetarium!

Join us for SECOND SATURDAY: DELTA COLLEGE PLANETRIUM at the Delta College Planetarium on November 11 at 1 PM. Admission is FREE!

09/11/2023

The famous seen in infrared light from the Space Telescope!

Exquisite, never-before-seen details help unravel the supernova remnant’s puzzling history.

07/11/2023

Autumn brings the return of the "Great Square of Pegasus," and along with it, the ! At more than 2 million light years away, it's the most distant object you can see without a telescope. Details in this week's podcast https://soundcloud.com/backyardastronomer/11623-the-andromeda-galaxy

Also called the “sister spiral” to our own Milky Way Galaxy, Andromeda is the most distant object you can see in the entire night sky without a telescope.

03/11/2023

Check out our Saturday lineup for November! Tickets for "Enchanted Reef" (2pm) and "Eclipse" (3:30pm) can be purchased in person or at www.delta.edu/planetarium
Tickets for "Beautifica" (6:00 and 7:30pm) can ONLY be purchased online at https://tickets.beautifica.show/baycity/ (These are handled exclusively by the vendor James Hood Music LLC.) Enjoy!

02/11/2023

Ever wonder what goes on at the largest observatories in the world? Look behind the curtain with the people responsible for the great telescopes in the Andes Mountains of Chile in Fridays at 2pm. Details and tickets at www.delta.edu/planetarium

01/11/2023

One of our favorite shows for Nov-Dec is back! "Life Under the Arctic Sky" features the Sami People of Northern Scandinavia with spectacular photography of their reindeer migrations, storytelling, winter festivals, and of course, the Northern Lights. Thursdays at 2pm. Details at www.delta.edu/planetarium

31/10/2023

There's a bright star low in the east after dark that's not a star at all. It's the planet , and it's currently at its closest approach to Earth! Learn more in this week's podcast at https://bit.ly/3Sfx7lg

27/10/2023

Saturday, Oct 28 at 2:00 & 7:00pm are your last chances to see "The Monster Light Show". It's a good day to get into the mood! Details and tickets at https://bit.ly/49dlv8w

26/10/2023

The moon grows from an oval (gibbous) shape toward the Full Hunters Moon this week. A common set of binoculars will show you many surface features! Find out what in this week's podcast at https://soundcloud.com/backyardastronomer/102323-features-of-the-gibbous-moon

Even though the nights are cooling down, throw on that coat and grab your binoculars for a look at the Moon! There are many special features to look for.

21/10/2023

Our music experience is back! "The Monster Light Show" plays Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm. More info and tickets at www.delta.edu/planetarium

20/10/2023

Tonight (Fri, Oct 20) is International Observe the Moon Night. The weather looks overcast so outside observing won't be possible but we *will* still do a FREE planetarium show at 7:00pm! Learn more at www.delta.edu/planetarium/ (scroll down to Special Events).

19/10/2023

From the creators of the multi award-winning comes a brand-new epic immersive experience unlike any other. is a 360 journey through worlds real and imagined, from mind-blowing particle fields to euphoric fantastic environments. The brainchild of visionary composer James Hood working with some of the finest immersive animators on the planet, this family-friendly show is a feast for the senses, which will leave your spirit refreshed and your mind inspired. Tickets are available *only* at https://tickets.beautifica.show/baycity/
Ticket questions can be directed to [email protected]

18/10/2023

Oct 21-22 is the peak of the Meteor Shower! When and where should you look? Find out in this week's podcast at https://bit.ly/3tCHFk3

16/10/2023

Check out the latest issue of "Journeys," Delta College's quarterly magazine, at https://bit.ly/3tx506K. You'll find details about a special talk coming to the planetarium on Nov 3 by Dr. Greg Wirth, Midland native now astrophysicist working with the Webb Space Telescope!

13/10/2023

Unfortunately, the weather forecast is calling for overcast and rain all day Saturday and so the viewing session at the planetarium is canceled. However, you can tune in live online to see both the partial AND annular phases of the eclipse at

Dive into the eclipse with the Exploratorium’s live telescope feeds and educational programming.

11/10/2023

An Annular "Ring of Fire" crosses the SW United States Saturday, Oct 14. Michigan will get a partial eclipse with about 35% of the solar disk covered at 1:00pm. Learn more in this week's podcast at https://bit.ly/3ZTj86c
You can stream the event live online at www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/livestream

10/10/2023

We are back with a new schedule of shows on Thu-Fri-Sat. Don't miss our annual Halloween Music experience, "The Monster Light Show," Saturdays at 2 and 7pm! Details and tickets at www.delta.edu/planetarium

04/10/2023

66 years ago today, the began with the launch of , the world's first artificial satellite. And Oct 12 at 10:16am EDT will be the first launch to a metal - Psyche. Learn more at https://psyche.asu.edu/

03/10/2023

What shows and special events are happening this month? Check out the planetarium's October E-newsletter at https://bit.ly/3REtIMx
You can get these via email by signing up at www.delta.edu/planetarium/ - scroll to the bottom and click on the "E-Newsletter" button!

02/10/2023

The W-shaped of is back in the NE sky after dark! Did you know it has one of the densest populations of Open Star Clusters in the entire sky? Learn more in this week's podcast at https://bit.ly/3rAQURa

27/09/2023

This year's might look a little brighter than usual. Find out why in this week's 2-minute podcast! Go to https://bit.ly/3ESaYBJ

27/09/2023

Saturday, Sept 30 is your last chance to see "3-2-1 Liftoff" (2pm) and "Dark Universe" (7pm). "Eclipse" will continue running Saturdays at 3:30pm. Beginning Oct 14 we start our annual "Monster Light Show" for the Halloween season! Details on all shows (and tickets) available at www.delta.edu/calendar/planetarium.html

23/09/2023

The largest sample to be returned from an asteroid will land in the Utah desert Sunday, Sep 24 at 10:55am eastern time on board the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft! Details (including live coverage) at

OSIRIS-REx traveled to near-Earth asteroid Bennu and is bringing a small sample back to Earth for study. The mission launched Sept. 8, 2016, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The spacecraft reached Bennu in 2018 and will return a sample to Earth in 2023.

22/09/2023

As part of the Hells Half Mile Film Festival, we are hosting a special session on Fulldome (Immersive) Filmmaking in the planetarium on Saturday, Sept 23 at 3pm. Admission is free! Details at https://www.facebook.com/events/1049342612904509

21/09/2023

In place of our regular planetarium shows on Fri-Sat Sept 22-23, we will host movies for this years Film Festival! See the full film schedule and descriptions at www.hhmfest.com

18/09/2023

The distinctive little constellation of the Dolphin is conveniently located near the stars of the . Get directions on how to find it in this week's podcast at https://bit.ly/3PHOFoh

14/09/2023

Could there be an earth-sized planet in our solar system way past Pluto? Some astronomers think it's possible.

Japanese researchers said this month (September 7, 2023) that a possible Earthlike planet – with a mass some 1.5 to 3 times that of our home world – is lurking in the far, frozen reaches of our own solar system. And its presence could explain the unexpected behaviors of some of the strangest obj...

13/09/2023

The latest Go Great Lakes Bay podcast features the ! Go to:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=694415726059318&id=100064726894602&mibextid=Nif5oz

New on the Go Great Lakes Bay Podcast!

We sit down with Mike Murray, head astronomer and Planetarium Director for the Delta College Planetarium. We discuss all of the great features of the Delta College Planetarium, all the shows you can see there and how Mike Murray got to become the Planetarium Director! 💫🪐

Listen: https://thegreatvoice.com/Episode/go-great-lakes-bay-podcast-delta-college-planetarium/22077

12/09/2023

is now at its prime for observing and will remain that way through the fall. Did you know you can see its largest moon, Titan, in a small telescope? Check out this week's podcast at https://bit.ly/3PiQKFM

08/09/2023

What's that incredibly bright star low in the east before sunrise? It's the planet ! Learn more in this week's podcast at https://bit.ly/3sQcJfG

05/09/2023

The Space Telescope just released this incredible view of a remnant that was seen exploding in the Large Magellanic Cloud (a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way) in 1987. New structures were found! Details at https://bit.ly/44E6WqL