SCCS Community/Family Planetarium Shows 2022-23
On Monday, March 13, 2023 we will be showing ‘Destination Mars’ at 5:30pm. The movie is 30 minutes long. At the conclusion of the show we will spend 10-15 minutes learning fun facts about space. To reserve seats, please fill out the Google Form. As always, families will be able to take home an activity to extend their experience even further!
Summary of the show: Destination Mars (30 minutes)
Ever wonder what it would be like to fly to Mars? NASA – and others – have their sights set on the Red Planet and they’re building the technology to get us there! Destination Mars: The New Frontier gives you an up-close look at humanity’s most epic endeavor. Explore the work being done around the globe to help make the dream of getting humans to Mars a reality. Fly through the International Space Station, where astronauts are already living and working in space, and follow the rockets and vehicles that will take humans beyond the Moon and, one day, all the way to Mars! Travel along as we imagine this remarkable journey.
Upcoming Spring Show Dates:
April 10: From Earth to the Universe
May 22: IBEX: Search of the Edge of the Solar System
June 12: Out There: The Quest for the Edge of the Solar System
(As a reminder, shows are limited to 60 participants, the Google Form link will be active as long as there are seats available!)
School Field Trips
Private Groups
The Friends of the Planetarium is now scheduling shows open to groups of 20 or more. Private groups should contact Frank Benenati at friendsoftheplanetarium@gmail.com to schedule events. There will be a small fee for non-school related programs.
The Southern Cayuga Central School Planetarium
Fall 2019
Over the past seven years, countless parents and community members have shared stories of their long ago visits to the SCCS planetarium. Now is the time to rekindle those memories and to inspire the next generation of students to explore the skies above.
The Southern Cayuga School District is pleased to announce that renovations are complete and a new state-of-the-art digital projection system is operational. Over the summer of 2019, contractors upgraded all major mechanical systems, electrical, lighting, heating, and ventilation, and created a new robotics lab for our high school students. The new digital projection system will provide full-dome shows, real-time visualizations, and flight simulations through space. The technology has come a long way since the original Spitz projector was installed over 50 years ago. SkySkan Projection Systems of Nashua, New Hampshire, has provided training to a core group of staff members to operate the new projection system. I promise you’ll enjoy the show.
All are welcome to attend and check out the new projection system and visit the robotics lab. SCCS is hosting monthly star shows for the families of Southern Cayuga and field trips for students from across Cayuga County.
Special thanks goes out to our community for their approval of the project and to Bob Parker & Tony Cavallaro of J&B Installations for donating and overseeing the complete roof replacement. Special thanks to Senator Pam Helming and Assemblyman Gary Finch for securing a $50,000 in state grants to purchase the new projection system. Special thanks to the Friends of the Planetarium for their continued advocacy. Most importantly, special thanks to the SCCS Board of Education for their leadership in bringing this project to fruition.
Please contact SCCS-Planetarium@southerncayuga.org to schedule field trips.
Patrick Jensen
SCCS Superintendent
