Rollins Planetarium and YHC Observatory
The O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium and the astronomical observatory are immersive and powerful experiences on the campus of Young Harris College.
Planetarium and Observatory schedule of events
Friday, September 19 @ 8pm
Planet Nine follows Mike Brown as he begins the search for the elusive, theoretical Planet Nine at the Subaru Telescope atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii in 2016.
The New Horizons spacecraft gave us our first close-up look at Pluto, the most iconic of the dwarf planets orbiting in the icy outskirts of our Solar System. This historic flyby opened a new frontier of exploration, revealing a surprisingly complex and dynamic world. Now, scientists are unraveling fresh clues about how our Solar System formed—and what hidden worlds may still lie beyond Neptune.
Join astronomer Mike Brown and his team at Caltech as they track down distant dwarf planets on the frontier of space: Eris, a shimmering world once thought to be larger than Pluto; Haumea, shaped like an egg and spinning faster than any other known large object in the Solar System; and Sedna, with a mysterious, elongated orbit that carries it far beyond the Kuiper Belt into an uncharted region.
Could these extreme objects be pointing us toward an even bigger discovery—a ninth planet lurking in the shadows?
Friday, October 17 @ 7pm & 8pm
The Ooky Spooky Light Show is a celebration of the spooky season. Part of our cosmic concert series, this show is a annual favorite and a delight for the entire family. Classic and creepy Halloween tunes such as “Monster Mash,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Thriller” as well as several pop songs with lyrics on the hair-raising side will come to life in this holiday fueled light show. The visuals are fun, spooky, and leave audience smiling in delight!
Friday, November 7 @ 7pm
This show is recommended for kids & families!
Join the Zula Patrol team on an out of this world weather adventure in Zula Patrol: Under the Weather! The brave and ever-curious heroes of The Zula Patrol are back for another exciting mission — this time, it’s all about weather! While exploring their home planet Zula, the team sets out on a scientific expedition to collect different types of weather for their brilliant friend and resident scientist, Multo.
With the help of their lovable pet Gorga, who has a one-of-a-kind talent for bottling weather patterns, the Zula Patrol is making great progress.
But things take an unexpected turn when Gorga feels unappreciated and hurt by his friends. Feeling left out and misunderstood, he makes the tough decision to leave planet Zula in search of a new home. Unfortunately, his journey catches the attention of the sneaky and ever-scheming interplanetary villain, Dark Truder. Seizing the opportunity, Dark Truder tricks Gorga into stealing weather from other planets — a key part of his latest plan to take over the Universe!
Now it’s up to the Zula Patrol to track down their old friend, stop Dark Truder’s wicked scheme, and restore balance to the galaxy. Along the way, they’ll discover fascinating facts about weather — not just on Earth, but across the cosmos.
Packed with adventure, science, and heart, this journey through space and storms is one that kids and families won’t want to miss!
Friday, November 7 @ 8pm
Experience the night sky like never before in Skies Over Georgia, a live, presenter-led star show, featuring the full capabilities of the planetarium’s state-of-the-art optical star projector. Designed in the spirit of traditional stargazing, this immersive program transports audiences to a clear night high above the mountains of north Georgia.
You’ll learn how to identify the planets and stars currently visible in the evening sky, gain tips for spotting celestial objects on your own, and enjoy a guided tour through the constellations. Along the way, discover the myths, legends, and cultural stories that have been woven into the stars for generations—revealing how humans across time and cultures have found meaning in the cosmos.
Perfect for stargazers of all ages and experience levels, this program brings the beauty and wonder of the night sky indoors.
Wednesday, November 19 @ 6pm, Rollins Planetarium
This event is free and open to the public. No tickets required!!
Join us for a special lecture with Planetarium Director Lauren Albin, as she shares her experiences as a member of the 2025 cohort of NITARP—the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program. This past summer, Lauren had the unique opportunity to travel to the California Institute of Technology and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where she conducted research on Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs).
Working under the guidance of NASA JPL scientist Dr. Varoujan Gorjian, Lauren and her team began collecting and analyzing data for their project titled Using Spitzer Space Telescope Data to Catalogue Short-Term Variable AGNs for Determining the Size of Accretion Disks. The goal of their research is to identify AGNs hidden within archival data from the Spitzer Space Telescope—sources that may be “hiding in plain sight.” These AGN candidates can help astronomers map the structure of accretion disks around supermassive black holes. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of AGNs could also contribute to refining how we measure cosmic distances, offering new insights into the “Hubble tension” and the universe’s current rate of expansion.
The lecture will last approximately 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A session. Afterwards, guests are invited to stay for a brief guided tour of the night sky.
Friday, December 5 @ 7pm
This show is a part of Rollins Planetarium Cosmic Concert Series!
Let it Snow is a delightful holiday music show that brings the warmth and joy of the season to life under the planetarium dome. This family-friendly program features a heartwarming collection of festive classics from beloved artists like Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry, Burl Ives, and Brenda Lee, creating the perfect nostalgic soundtrack for the holidays.
The music is brought to life with vibrant, full-dome visuals, combining whimsical animations, dazzling special effects, and immersive all-dome scenery that transform the planetarium into a winter wonderland. The show concludes with a breathtaking multimedia finale set to the powerful music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra—guaranteed to leave audiences of all ages feeling uplifted and inspired.
Let it Snow is the perfect seasonal treat for anyone looking to share a little holiday magic together. Whether you’re a long-time fan of holiday tunes or just looking for something festive and fun to do indoors, this show is sure to become a new seasonal favorite.
Friday, December 5 @ 8pm
Season of Light is a perennial holiday favorite that celebrates the warmth, hope, and wonder that shine through the coldest and darkest time of the year. Narrated by NPR’s Noah Adams, this beautifully crafted show explores the rich history and heartfelt traditions behind the world’s most cherished winter celebrations—all of which share a common theme: bringing light to the darkness.
Journey through time and across cultures as the program highlights the origins of customs like the burning of the Yule log, the lighting of luminarias, festive Christmas tree lights, menorahs, and candles placed in windows. These traditions, both ancient and modern, reflect humanity’s deep-rooted desire to find joy and meaning during the long winter nights.
Perfect for families and curious minds of all ages, this show is a heartwarming journey through culture, history, and astronomy—inviting you to celebrate the season in the glow of storytelling and starlight.
About the Planetarium
The O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium opened in 1979 through the philanthropy of Wayne and Grace Rollins. This unique space features a state-of-the-art GOTO Chronos Space Simulator star projector, a device that uses light guide technology to project a realistic and beautiful starry sky. With high-speed, computer-calculated positioning, a simple click of a mouse sets the sky for any time in the past, present or future. Installed at Young Harris in 2002, the projector was the first installation of the Chronos model anywhere in the world. A Sky-Skan Definiti full-dome digital projection system was added more recently. Representing the next generation in planetarium technology, the system creates an immersive and engaging image over the entire dome surface and a powerful experience for the audience.
With comfortable seating for 104 under a 40-foot-diameter dome, Rollins Planetarium offers public shows and educational opportunities for school groups throughout the year. Rollins Planetarium is located in the Maxwell Center on the campus of Young Harris College.
Rollins Planetarium is located in the Maxwell Center on the campus of Young Harris College.
Public shows at the Planetarium
O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium features shows for the general public on select Friday evenings. Tickets for shows can be purchased at the door with cash or check. Tickets can also be purchased online via Eventbrite by clicking on the show dates listed below. Purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended, since planetarium shows often sell out. Observatory open houses do not require tickets.
For planetarium shows, guests are encouraged to arrive early for best seats.
Public planetarium shows, with the exception of Cosmic Concerts, include a live-narrated “season stargazing” segment in addition to the featured full-dome program.
Public admission rates:
- $5 adults per show
- $3 children per show
- Free for children under 4 years of age
- Free with YHC ID
Tickets can be purchased online in advance by clicking on the show dates below. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door 30 minutes prior to showtime.
School groups shows
The following educational shows are available for schools or other groups. Please have available the requested time and date, the title of the show you would like to see and the approximate number attending. If you would like to see two shows while you are here, we are happy to set up a combo of your choice of show titles.
Important: It is highly recommended that you schedule school / group shows at least a month in advance, since demand is high and available dates are limited. For more information or to schedule a presentation, please email Planetarium Director Lauren Albin.
School group rates:
- $75 flat fee for first show, regardless of group size
- Additional shows for the same students are at regular public rates ($3 per student and $5 per adult)
Non-school group rates:
- $3 per student and $5 per adult per show
- $75 minimum charge in effect per show
About the Observatory
The Young Harris College Observatory features a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and is located about 1.5 miles from campus at Brasstown Valley Resort.
Located at an elevation of more than 2,000 feet on the flanks of Brasstown Bald, the tallest peak in Georgia, the College’s observatory features a Schmidt Cassegrain telescope housed in a 15-foot dome just a few minutes from campus. The observatory benefits from its high elevation and access to the wonderfully dark skies of northern Georgia. In addition to the main scope, the facility also contains outdoor telescope piers that can mount a number of other telescopes as well.
Observatory open house
On these special evenings, the Young Harris College Observatory is open to the public for telescopic viewing, if skies are clear and weather permitting. The observatory features a 14-inch telescope and is located around 1.5 miles from campus at Twiggs Overlook on the exit road leading from Brasstown Valley Resort. Maps will be available at the planetarium as well as here. Observing sessions last up to one hour.
Please note: Limited parking; no shuttle service; no restroom facilities; uphill walk from parking area.
Observatory open house dates:
- TBD
CCD camera images
The telescope can also be equipped with a CCD camera to take digital images. Below are two examples of pictures shot from the observatory using the main telescope coupled with a CCD camera. The first picture is M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy; the second one is the Moon.
