YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Young Harris College invites the community to November shows at the O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium. The Planetarium is housed in the Maxwell Center for Mathematics and Sciences on the YHC campus, which is located at 1 College Street, Young Harris, Georgia.
The Planetarium will host “Earth, Moon, & Sun” on Friday, November 11 at 7 p.m. Explore the relationship between the Earth, Moon, and Sun with the help of Coyote, an amusing character adapted from Native American traditions. Learn the basics of solar energy, as well as why the Sun rises and sets. Examine the Moon’s orbit, craters, phases, and eclipses. This show is appropriate for children and families.
The Planetarium will host “Skies Over Georgia” on Friday, November 11 at 8 p.m. Featuring a live presenter and using the Planetarium’s digital and optical star projectors to their 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 show is appropriate for general audiences.
The Planetarium will host “Let it Snow: A Holiday Music Journey” on Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. This family-friendly show with modern visuals features a variety of holiday classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, and it includes a stunning multimedia finale by the Tran-Siberian Orchestra. The merry soundtrack is visually enhanced with artistic animation and full-dome holiday scenery, making it a fun and entertaining experience for audiences of all ages.
The Planetarium will host “Season of Light: A Special Holiday Presentation” on Friday, November 18 at 8 p.m. This perennial holiday favorite is a show about the coldest and darkest of seasons—a time which holds some of the warmest and brightest celebrations of the year. Narrated by National Public Radio’s Noah Adams, the show explores the traditions surrounding some of the world’s most endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season—from the burning Yule log and the lighting of luminaries to sparkling Christmas tree lights and candles in windows. The program also explores possible astronomical explanations for the Star of Bethlehem. Come and celebrate the season through the wonder of the Planetarium’s star-filled sky.
Admission to each of these shows is $5 for adults, $3 for children 4 years and older, and free for children under 4 years old and for YHC students and employees.
Planetarium tickets can be purchased in advance at yhc.edu/planetarium. From there, select the link to “Public Shows” for a listing of upcoming show dates and times. Each show listing has an option to purchase tickets. Click the show date you’d like to attend to buy tickets through the corresponding Eventbrite page. Remaining tickets, if any, can be purchased at the door on the night of each show.
There will also be a YHC Observatory Open House on Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. The Observatory features a 14-inch telescope and is located about 1.5 miles from the YHC campus, at Twiggs Overlook on the exit road leading from Brasstown Valley Resort. Maps will be available at the Planetarium. Observing sessions last up to one hour. Please note that parking at the Observatory is limited; there is no shuttle service; there are no restrooms; there is an uphill walk from the parking area.
For more information about the O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium and the YHC Observatory, please contact Planetarium Director Lauren Albin at (706) 379-5195 or via email.
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts; Humanities; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Professional Studies. Approximately 1,400 students are enrolled in its undergraduate, Early College, and MAT programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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