“Invisible Universe”
14 February - 28 March
We learn about the cosmos by analyzing the light that shines across space, but visible light is only a tiny portion of the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Only recently have we invented the kinds of telescopes needed to see the rest of the universe: infrared, radio, ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma-rays.
Subjects: electromagnetic spectrum; astronomical discoveries
- Free shows Tuesday & Thursday at 7:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM
- No tickets, no prior reservations
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.
AVAILABLE SPECIAL EVENTS
Monday 27 February 2023 - @ Hardin Planetarium
At 6:00 PM central, free public opportunity to take a picture through a telescope, presented by Rico Tyler. Pairing a camera with a telescope allows us to see more than we could ever see otherwise, but both are expensive. We will provide the telescopes if you will bring your phone to use its camera. We will show you how to use the two together, and you will walk away with a fantastic image of something in the night sky.
We regularly host school groups and any other group interested in a show. You can
request such an event via the menu at the top of the page.
WKU's Hardin Planetarium has full dome of 40 feet, with a 360° surround view by way
of a Digitalis Epsilon digital projector. All of this is done in a classic 1967 architectural
icon of the WKU campus. We custom design most of our own shows for public education,
and all either are or include live interactive performances.
Affiliations
WKU Hardin Planetarium
1501 State Street
Bowling Green, KY 42101
hardin.planetarium@wku.edu
270-745-4044
Public Parking:
1) Along State Street
2) Two spots in the lot between Ogden College Hall and Kelly Thompson Hall
3) College Hill Lot, up College Heights Blvd. on the right
4) Chestnut Street North Lot, at the corner of Chestnut and 14th Ave, two blocks from the Planetarium
Bus Unloading:
» Download the bus unloading map (PDF)
Wheelchair Accessibility: A ramp from State St. provides access to the building's main floor. The below lots
are only available on weekends or after 4:30 PM.
1) Two spots in a tiny lot behind the building, at the end of a driveway from State St. That lot is lower than the building, so it is an uphill climb.
2) Three spots in the lot between Ogden College Hall and Kelly Thompson Hall.
3) The large parking lots on top of College Heights Blvd. The path from there is down hill.
Mailing List:
Many of our guests prefer to be notified of our events. You can sign up below or at the planetarium.
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.