View a Planetary Alignment at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at USC Aiken
Viewing opportunities from 7:45 – 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, and Thursday, March 30, 2023, that will provide you with the opportunity to view the five planets and Moon that will align in our evening sky. Looking up from the horizon in a relatively straight line you will be able to see Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Mars. Further along that line you will be able to see the Moon. Uranus is only visible through a telescope, but you can see the other objects as long as the sky is clear and you have a view of the western horizon. Come to enjoy exploring the majesty of the heavens.
Come See Our Digistar 6 Planetarium System!!
The DuPont Planetarium exists to inspire others to explore the majesty of the heavens. Visitors age 4 and up attend public shows presented every Saturday. We encourage our visitors to reserve seats in advance. If you make a reservation, please arrive no later than 20 minutes before the show starts. All unclaimed reservations will be released 10 minutes prior to the show.
The DuPont Planetarium, housed in the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at the University of South Carolina Aiken, consists of 57 seats, a 30-foot diameter tilted aluminum dome by Astro-Tec, with a Digistar 6 planetarium projection system from Evans & Sutherland.
The DuPont Planetarium opened in September 1995 with a Digistar II system and Spice automation system by Sky-Skan. The planetarium conducts K-12 school programs, general-interest level programs for the public, specialized programs for university classes, and private shows for parties and other events.
While most DuPont Planetarium programs focus on astronomy and encourage exploration of the night sky, some shows focus history and other science areas. All shows involve an enthusiastic presenter who is eager to share the majesty of the heavens with visitors. Digistar Special Effects shows entertain by using the power of the Digistar 6 system to create shapes that dance across the dome to lively music.
Student Programs
Each year, thousands of K-12 school children visit the planetarium during the school day for exciting programs that meet science standards. These programs are reserved and scheduled like other student programs at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. We also conduct specialized programs for university classes.
RPSEC Observatory
The RPSEC Observatory (on the roof of the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center) is open after public shows on Saturday evenings, weather permitting. The Bechtel Telescope housed in the RPSEC Observatory provides views of planets, nebulae and other celestial objects.
Private Programs
Private shows are arranged for educational groups such as scouts, preschools and colleges and for fun events such as birthday parties and company celebrations.
To schedule a private showing for your group, see the Private Planetarium Programs section.
Summer Skies - Friday Family Fun
Are you looking for something to do with the kids this summer? Join us for special daytime showings of your favorite planetarium shows.
