January 8, 2009 

(Young Harris, GA) - Beginning January 16, and continuing on selected Friday evenings through April at 8:00 p.m., the public is invited to see “The Problem with Pluto” at the Rollins Planetarium on the campus of Young Harris College.

In this entertaining new show, the question of “What makes a planet a planet?” is posed by a girl named Lucy, who along with her mother, is on board a futuristic spacecraft heading to the outer limits of our Solar System. They learn how Pluto is different from the other planets and discover the challenges of defining just what a planet should be.

A lively debate about Pluto has loomed from the moment the object was discovered over 75 years ago. In recent years, new discoveries led astronomers to redefine Pluto’s status. As a result, astronomers no longer consider the tiny world a major planet, but rather a member of a new category called the dwarf planets. “The change has certainly sparked a lot of interest,” says Steve Morgan, planetarium director and astronomy professor at Young Harris College.

The show was produced by the Melbourne Planetarium in Australia. “One of the great things about our new full-dome system at Rollins is that we can share programs like this from leading planetarium facilities around the world,” says Morgan. The production utilizes the planetarium’s recently-installed digital projection system, creating an immersive and engaging image over the entire dome surface and a powerful you-are-there experience for the audience.

“The Problem with Pluto” will be presented on the following Fridays: January 16, 23 and 30; February 13, 20 and 27; March 27; and April 3, 17 and 24. Planetarium programs start promptly at 8:00 p.m. Seating begins about 15 minutes before show time and is on a first-come, first-served basis. The planetarium is located in the Maxwell Center building on the campus of Young Harris College. There is no admission charge.

If skies are clear, the Young Harris College Observatory is open immediately after the planetarium show ends, which should be about 8:45. The observatory features a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, and is located about a mile-and-a-half from campus on the grounds of the Brasstown Valley Resort. Maps are available in the planetarium lobby if needed. The observing session will also include a guided tour of the constellations. The session will end between 9:30 and 9:45 PM. The observatory is open on the same dates the planetarium is open.

For recorded information about planetarium and observatory events, please call the planetarium info line at (706) 379-5195, or to get more detailed information, visit the college web site at www.yhc.edu, then click the “Rollins Planetarium” link on the left-hand side of the page.

About Young Harris College:
Founded in 1886, Young Harris College is a private, liberal arts college located in the beautiful mountains of north Georgia.  Historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the primary goal of Young Harris College is to educate, inspire and empower students while providing the highest quality liberal arts education.  To learn more, visit www.yhc.edu.  ###

Contact: Ronald P. Skenes, (706) 379-5237, rpskenes@yhc.edu