“Metal World: Mission to Asteroid Psyche”
Thu 13 Feb - Thu 27 Mar
NASA is currently flying a mission to visit a world very rich in iron estimated to be worth trillions of dollars. Learn how such a world could exist by learning what asteroids and meteorites are like. Note that the planetarium has six such meteorites on exhibit.
Subjects: geology; differentiation; planet formation
- Free shows Tuesday & Thursday at 7:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM
- No tickets, no prior reservations
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.
AVAILABLE SPECIAL EVENTS
Observatory Nights - @ Hardin Planetarium
On select Tuesday nights of each month at 8:00 PM central, guests may join us to explore the night sky in the observatory next door free of charge. This will follow immediately after the Tuesday night planetarium show, and will depend on weather. Alternative dates are offered in case of cloud cover.
- Tuesday 18 February (if sky is clear enough)
- Tuesday 11 March (if sky is clear enough)
- Thursday 13 March (backup date)
- Tuesday 8 April (if sky is clear enough)
- Thursday 10 April (backup date)
Campus Preview Days - @ Hardin Planetarium
Free shows, open to the public, during select afternoons this Spring semester.
- Monday 17 Feb | 2:00 PM | Metal World: Mission to Asteroid Psyche
- Monday 17 Feb | 3:00 PM | Our Star: the Sun
- Saturday 15 Mar | 2:00 PM | Metal World: Mission to Asteroid Psyche
- Saturday 15 Mar | 3:00 PM | Our Star: the Sun
We regularly host school groups and any other group interested in a show. You can
request such an event via the menu at the top of the page.
WKU's Hardin Planetarium has full dome of 40 feet, with a 360° surround view by way
of a Digitalis Epsilon digital projector. All of this is done in a classic 1967 architectural
icon of the WKU campus. We custom design most of our own shows for public education,
and all either are or include live interactive performances.
Affiliations
WKU Hardin Planetarium
1501 State Street
Bowling Green, KY 42101
hardin.planetarium@wku.edu
270-745-4044
Public Parking:
1) Along State Street
2) Two spots in the lot between Ogden College Hall and Kelly Thompson Hall
3) College Hill Lot, up College Heights Blvd. on the right
4) Chestnut Street North Lot, at the corner of Chestnut and 14th Ave, two blocks from the Planetarium
Bus Unloading:
» Download the bus unloading map (PDF)
Wheelchair Accessibility: A ramp from State St. provides access to the building's main floor. The below lots
are only available on weekends or after 4:30 PM.
1) Two spots in a tiny lot behind the building, at the end of a driveway from State St. That lot is lower than the building, so it is an uphill climb.
2) Three spots in the lot between Ogden College Hall and Kelly Thompson Hall.
3) The large parking lots on top of College Heights Blvd. The path from there is down hill.
Mailing List:
Many of our guests prefer to be notified of our events. You can sign up below or at the planetarium.