
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, March 28 @ 7pm
All proceeds from this show will support scholarships for YHC students participating in the Marvels of Peru: Science at the Equator study away trip in May 2025. Your contribution will help make this incredible opportunity possible!
Help Coyote explore the relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun through Native American stories that distinguish between myths and science in this humorous show. Learn why the Sun rises and sets and the basics of solar energy. Examine the Moon’s orbit, craters, phases and eclipses.

Friday, March 28 @ 8pm
**THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! **
All proceeds from this show will support scholarships for YHC students participating in the Marvels of Peru: Science at the Equator study away trip in May 2025. Your contribution will help make this incredible opportunity possible!
Featuring a live presenter and using the planetarium’s optical star projector to its fullest, this traditional star show allows audiences to explore the heavens as they appear above the mountains of north Georgia. Learn how to identify the planets and stars currently visible in the night sky, take a guided tour of the constellations and hear some of their fascinating stories.
**THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! **

Tuesday, April 1st @ 6pm EST, Online Only Live Streaming Event
“Beyond the Stars: Astronomy Across the Globe”
Presented by Jackie Bondell (University of Melbourne), Isa Mohammed (Caribbean Institute of Astronomy), & Brandon Rodriguez (Center for Collaborative Education).
**This event will take place online and is completely free and open to all. However, you MUST register using the link below to receive access to the streaming link.**
Join the Center for Collaborative Education for an exciting international astronomy webinar. Explore cutting edge research, hear indigenous star stories, and engage with expert astronomers in a live Q & A. Perfect for students, teachers, & space enthusiasts!

Friday, May 2 @ 7pm & 8pm
Pink Floyd’s iconic album ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ was originally released in March 1973 and what more fitting a place to celebrate it and experience it than in a Planetarium, through the music set to visuals. With the help of modern technology, the idea of a show combining breath-taking views of the solar system and beyond, played out to 42 minutes of The Dark Side Of The Moon in surround sound, has been embraced by the band. NSC Creative have led the visual production efforts, working closely with Pink Floyd’s long time creative collaborator Aubrey Powell from Hipgnosis.
Each song has a different theme; some futuristically looking forward and some a retro acknowledgment to Pink Floyd’s visual history, all relating to a time and space experience, embracing up to the minute technology that only a Planetarium can offer. A truly immersive and all-encompassing surround sound and visual treat that will transcend reality and take you way beyond the realms of reality.
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. A minimum of 15 people and a minimum payment of $75 is required to schedule a group show.
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.