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The Pat Thomas Planetarium

at Florida State University

The Pat Thomas Planetarium is located in Room 108 of the Richards Building (UPL) which is located on the west end of the FSU campus (click here for map).

The planetarium first opened its doors in 1982 and has been in continuous service ever since. It has two major purposes: the first is to enhance undergraduate courses in Astronomy and Physics; the second is outreach, where the planetarium is extended as a resource to other departments in the University, area public and private schools, and the general public.

The Planetarium has recently been extensively upgraded, and now boasts a digital system with high-definition projectors, powerful computers and advanced software. It can project full-dome images of stunning beauty and fidelity. Visitors will be immersed and enthralled by the experience.

The planetarium software Stellarium© allows us to render a realistic sky in real time, displays constellations and coordinate systems, planets, nebulae and other astronomical phenomena such as seasons and the midnight sun, eclipses, the solar system and more. Wouldn't you like to see how Neptune changes Pluto's orbit, the motion of Barnard's star or the constellations some 2000 years ago ?

We also have an extensive show repertoire, ranging from astronomy & cosmology to the Hubble story and the history of space exploration; some shows may help to satisfy the new Florida state educational standards. Our shows are suitable for a wide audience. A list of our available shows with summaries, previews, and suggested age ranges is available here.

The planetarium is free to all educators, students, and members of the general public of all ages as a complimentary service to the community.

FACULTY AND STAFF

Dr. Peter Hoeflich – DIRECTOR

Mark Cartagine - DEPUTY DIRECTOR

(850) 644-1194

SCHEDULING YOUR VISIT

Shows can be scheduled on request. We will do our best to accommodate you, and are happy to discuss the shows and their suitability to your needs. You do not have to be part of a school in order to schedule a visit – we welcome requests from all groups, regardless of age. Show times are quite flexible, but we do ask you to call ahead and make a reservation or to find out more about our weekly show.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. We recommend visitors be at least 7 years old..
2. We can accommodate up to 50 people per viewing; if your group is larger, let us know and we can arrange for multiple showings
3. Shows can be scheduled Monday-Friday.
4. Shows are presented once a week for individuals

MAKING YOUR RESERVATION OR FOR INFORMATION ON PUBLIC SHOWS

CALL (850) 644-1194, or by email

LOCATION AND DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Pat Thomas Planetarium
Richards Building
1055 Atomic Way
Tallahassee FL 32306-4350

VISITOR PARKING

• Visitors may park in meters (50 cents per hour – quarters only) located throughout campus or in the University Center Visitor Pay Lot ($1.00 per hour).
• Temporary or 1-Day permits may be purchased ($3.25 per day)
• Frequent visitors may purchase a “V” semester permit, which allows them access to ungated faculty/staff “R” lots and all student lots for $51.75
• Students, faculty and staff are not eligible to purchase a “V” permit.
• All permits may be purchased at FSU Parking and Transportation Services (Excluding W and R) located at University Center Building C-5406 between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m Monday - Friday unless otherwise posted during peak hours:

1. FROM DOWNTOWN HEADED WEST ON TENNESSEE STREET (HIGHWAY 90)
2. TURN LEFT AT DEWEY STREET (McDonalds ON THE RIGHT)
3. TURN RIGHT ON PALMETO DRIVE
4. PASS UNDER WOODWARD STREET
5. AT THE INTERSECTION OF PALMETTO DRIVE AND CHIEFTAN WAY IS A THREE WAY STOP
6. TURN LEFT INTO THE PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO CHIEFTAN WAY.
7. DRIVE THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, MAKING A LEFT AT THE END. THIS ROAD IS NAMED ATOMIC DRIVE
8. THE PLANETARIUM IS LOCATED IN THE EAST END OF THE BUILDING TO YOUR RIGHT, RICHARDS BUILDING

PARKING INFORMATION (SCROLL DOWN TO VISITOR PARKING)

1. HEADED EAST ON TENNESSEE STREET (HIGHWAY 90)TOWARDS DOWNTOWN
2. TURN RIGHT ON MURPHREE STREET (BETWEEN BIG 10 TIRES AND BILL'S BOOKSTORE)
3. TURN LEFT ONTO PALMETTO DRIVE (PALMETTO DRIVE IS THE FIRST ROAD TO THE LEFT)
4. AT THE INTERSECTION OF PALMETTO DRIVE AND CHIEFTAN WAY IS A THREE WAY STOP
5. CROSS THE INTERSECTION AND THEN TURN RIGHT INTO THE PARKING LOT.
6. DRIVE THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, MAKING A LEFT AT THE END. THIS ROAD IS NAMED ATOMIC DRIVE
7. THE PLANETARIUM IS LOCATED IN THE EAST END OF THE BUILDING TO YOUR RIGHT, RICHARDS BUILDING

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