Planetarium Session Information
Spring 2012
A make-up planetarium show has been scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16th at 7pm. This will be the FINAL planetarium show. This make-up show is now accepting reservations.
A special planetarium show to illustrate the motions of the sky for introductory astronomy classes will be held at Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College in Champaign.
Session Dates, Reservations, and Cost
Session Dates: Planetarium sessions will be held on the following days:
- Monday, Jan. 30th
- Tuesday, Jan. 31st
- Thursday, Feb. 2nd
- Monday, Feb. 6th
- Tuesday, Feb. 7th
- Wednesday, Feb. 8th
The planetarium doors open at 6:30pm. The sessions begin at 7pm and last until 8:20pm.
Reservations: The planetarium sessions are by reservation only because of limited space. You must sign up in advance via the Planetarium Session Online Reservation Form. The form can also be used to change an existing reservation.
Door Charge: Tickets for the session are $3.00 at the door, please bring exact change to make life easier for the planetarium staff. Checks are accepted, but not debit/credit cards.
Getting to the Planetarium
Directions are available for driving or riding a CU-MTD bus.
Driving to the Planetarium
Directions: Parkland College is located 2400 W. Bradley Avenue in Champaign (west of Mattis Avenue). Click on the map icon below to see the locations of Parkland, the U of I, and major Champaign-Urbana streets.
Parking: Staerkel Planetarium is situated on the west side of
the Parkland Campus. It may be located by the distinctive triangular Cultural
Center open-air arch that connects the Parkland Theatre and the Staerkel
Planetarium. The closest parking lot to the planetarium is parking lot C4.
The locations of the planetarium and
parking lots are shown on the map below.
Riding the Bus to the Planetarium
CU-MTD Bus Routes: Several CU-MTD bus routes offer service from campus and the downtown areas of Champaign & Urbana to Parkland College. The times of departure and arrival are summarized below. Click the individual route links for a more detailed version of the bus schedules and route maps.
| Bus Route | Departs Downtown Urbana | Departs Campus Transit Plaza (Wright Street) |
Departs Illinois Terminal (Downtown Champaign) |
Arrives Parkland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7W Grey | 5:50 pm | -- | 6:12 pm | 6:30 pm |
| 6:17 pm | -- | 6:42 pm | 6:59 pm | |
| 9B Brown | -- | 5:35 pm | 5:43 pm | 5:57 pm |
| -- | 6:22 pm | 6:28 pm | 6:41 pm |
| Bus Route | Departs Parkland | Arrives Illinois Terminal (Downtown Champaign) |
Arrives Illini Union | Arrives Downtown Urbana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50E Green | 8:35 pm | 8:51 pm | 8:59 pm | 9:05 pm |
| 9:05 pm | 9:21 pm | 9:29 pm | 9:35 pm | |
| 70E Grey | 8:24 pm | 8:37 pm | -- | 8:56 pm |
| 8:54 pm | 9:07 pm | -- | 9:26 pm |
From the Bus Stop to the Planetarium: Staerkel Planetarium is situated on the west side of the Parkland Campus. Enter Parkland College at the entrance by the bus stop. Follow the red line indicated on the map below (click on the image to see an enlarged view) to get to the Planetarium. If you get lost, there is a Public Safety Officer located in room X109 (across from the bookstore along the hallway you entered on). If you have a cell phone, the Public Safety Officer can be reached at 351-2369. He/she will be able to direct you to the Planetarium.
