The Boyertown Planetarium offers your class a superb way of supplementing your school curriculum.  We can run star programs on any level from pre-school through adult, and tailored specifically to your group.  In addition, a variety of programs covering many disciplines provides an almost endless array of possibilities.  All planetarium programs are presented in a live, fun, educational format.  We hope that the Boyertown Planetarium can become part of your cosmos in the coming years.

Location:

The planetarium is located at the Junior High East Center on Route 73 near Gilbertsville, PA. The entrance of the Planetarium is located inside the back entrance of the building.

Custom Programs:

We can custom design a program tailored specifically for your group on a wide range of subjects. The following is only a small list of the many possibilities:
Animal Migration
Constellations
Comets & Meteors
Day & Night
Egyptian Mythology
Greek Mythology
Indian Mythology
Planets: Gustav Holst
Sensory Writing
Solar System
Space Shuttle
Space Telescope
Stonehenge
Sun/Earth/Moon
Tonight's Sky

Click here for the regular Elementary Moon Map. 

Click here for a blank copy of the Elementary Moon Map.

Code of Conduct:
Please review the following rules with your students prior to their visit.

No candy, gum, or any food items allowed.
All sharp objects (pencils, pens, combs, etc.) must be removed from back pockets.
No talking during the program.
Stay in line and wait for the Director to seat you.

Scheduling a Program:
Contact the planetarium director  by phone at 610-473-3906 or e-mail Mr. Detterline.    Provide the following information: type of program, grade level, date, time, and phone number or e-mail.

Admission is $1.50 for adults and $1 for students and children. Fee is payable at the time of the presentation by cash or check. Please make checks payable to the "Boyertown Area School District."

Star programs are held in the planetarium and are presented in a live format utilizing the planetariums special effects. Some programs incorporate live satellite feeds from actual space missions.

Starwatches incorporate a brief planetarium program on the night sky, and then if weather permits an outside session to view the sky using the planetariums telescopes. In case of inclement weather, an extended planetarium show will be held. Participants are asked to dress appropriately for the weather.

I hope to see you under the stars of Boyertown!

Peter Detterline, director

2007-2008 Schedule

September - sky calendar and starmap
Sep 24 @ 7 PM New Worlds
Over 200 planets have been discovered around other star systems in the Milky Way Galaxy. This program looks at these worlds and the possibility of life that they may contain. .

October - sky calendar and star map
Oct. 5 @ 8 PM Starwatch Oct. 29 @ 7 PM Halloween Magic
A haunting look at the mysteries of Halloween and how they relate to the night sky. An evening for the whole family complete with skits, stories and the special effects of the planetarium.

November - sky calendar and star map
Nov. 2@ 7 PM Starwatch
Nov. 19@ 7 PM November Nights
A look at the astronomy of the Native Americans. The program is filled with stories, music and special effects.

December - sky calendar and star map
Dec. 7 @ 7 PM Starwatch
Dec. 12 & 17@ 7 PM Star of Bethlehem
This program concentrates on the mystery surrounding this famous astronomical event. It is a mixture of factual information, astronomical insight, music, stories, and traditions.

January - sky calendar and star map
Jan. 4 @ 7 PM Telescope Starwatch
A special Starwatch where participants are encouraged to bring their own telescopes to learn how to use them.
Jan. 11 @ 7 PM Rise of the Phoenix
With Mars just past it's closest approach to Earth; this program concentrates on viewing tips and the NASA Phoenix spacecraft which is en route to Mars. If weather permits a telescope session will follow the program.

February - sky calendar and star map
Feb. 1 & 29 @ 7 PM Starwatch
Feb. 11 @ 7 PM Lunar Excursions
The Moon will be studied concentrating on its features and the three spacecraft that are currently in orbit. If weather permits a telescope session will follow the program.

March - sky calendar and star map
Mar. 17 @ 7 PM Stars of Spring
Celebrate the beginning of Spring with an evening of story-telling at the planetarium. The mythology of the constellations will be portrayed along with some of the many wonders of the night sky.

April - sky calendar and star map
Apr. 11 & 14 @ 7 PM The Planets
One of our most popular programs. We take a close look at each of the eight planets in our solar system incorporating all of the latest space probe pictures from NASA. A special part of the program will be devoted to Pluto- the dwarf planet, as well as the other dwarf planets that lie beyond Neptune.

May - sky calendar and star map

June - sky calendar and star map

Planetarium seats 75 people