The Pat Thomas Planetarium

The Pat Thomas Planetarium is located in Room 108 of the Richards Building (UPL) which is located on the westend of the FSU campus (click here for map). The planetarium has a SPITZ 512 system located under a 30 foot diameter dome. The seating capacity of the theatre is 60 persons. In 1990 the Spitz ATM2 automation system was replaced with a computer control system that was designed by Wlodzimierz Blaszczyk and assembled by Wlodzimierz Blaszczyk and Jim Bussey of the FSU Physics Department engineering staff. The latest update to an ATM4 automation system was completed in 2002.

BRIEF HISTORY

The Pat Thomas Planetarium began operating in 1980. The daily operation of the planetarium has been the responsibility of Dr. Vasken Hagopian (faculty) and Mark Cartagine (staff). The planetarium did not get its name until 1990. At this time, it was named in honor of a local state senator, "Pat Thomas".

The planetarium has a repertoire of many shows. Some were created for a particular astronomical occurrence, while others for a more general interest. There are several shows on historical astronomy. For younger groups (i.e. 8 to 12 years old) the shows are general in nature followed by a question and answer period. In addition, students of the Physics Department's astronomy courses and laboratories use the planetarium for instructional purposes. During the last few years, the annual attendance has been about 6,000 visitors.

Click here to schedule a visit.

The SPITZ 512 system

FACULTY AND STAFF

DR. VASKEN HAGOPIAN - DIRECTOR    

MARK CARTAGINE - DEPUTY DIRECTOR

(850) 644-1194

Astronomy links

• Sky and Telescope has a very informative home page. Information about the nighttime sky may be obtained by clicking on "This Week's Sky at a Glance "
• TALLAHASSEE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY send e-mail to jraymond@nettally.com
• PLANETARIUMS
• CHALLENGER CENTER OF TALLAHASSEE

Scheduling your visit

REQUIREMENTS

1. Visitors must be eight years old and above or third grade and above.
2. Groups must be at least 20 persons and no more than 60 persons.
3. Shows are scheduled Monday-Friday mornings.
4. Length of the presentation is approximately one hour.
5. Times are 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 am. (THERE IS SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THE STARTING TIMES)

MAKING YOUR RESERVATION

TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION PLEASE CALL (850) 644-1194. A recorded message will ask you to leave your name and telephone number. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. If you have problems making your reservation please email Mark Cartagine at

CONFIRMATION

WITHIN 10 DAYS OF MAKING YOUR RESERVATION, YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE PLANETARIUM CONFIRMING YOUR DATE AND TIME. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION PLEASE CALL THE PLANETARIUM AT 850-644-1194.

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Location and driving directions

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 INTERSECION OF PALMETTO DRIVE AND CHIEFTIAN WAY IS A THREE WAY STOP
6. TURN LEFT INTO THE PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO CHIEFTIAN WAY. THERE IS A PLANETARIUM SIGN ON THE ONE WAY DIRECTION SIGN
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, RICHARD'S 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 CHIEFTIAN WAY IS A THREE WAY STOP
5. CROSS THE INTERSECTION AND THEN TURN RIGHT INTO THE PARKING LOT. THERE IS A PLANETARIUM SIGN ON THE ONE WAY DIRECTION SIGN
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, RICHARD'S BUILDING

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