Staerkel Planetarium Looks to the Future
As It Approaches Its 40th Anniversary
When the lights went down at Parkland College’s annual Media Day, the focus was not just on celebrating four decades of history at Staerkel Planetarium. It was also on showcasing the future of planetarium experiences.
Dr. Pamela Lau opened the floor with a reflection on the planetarium’s origin and its ongoing importance to the campus and the surrounding region. Staerkel Planetarium first opened in 1987 and will celebrate its landmark 40th anniversary next year.
Founded by Dr. William Staerkel, Parkland’s first president, the planetarium was the result of what Dr. Lau described as a bold vision. In her speech, Dr. Lau called Staerkel a “visionary” who understood that learning and enjoyment go hand in hand.
Dr. Lau emphasized that the planetarium was intentionally established as a landmark that sets Parkland College apart from other institutions. Decades later, that vision still benefits the school. Dr. Lau shared some striking results of a recent survey with community members: for most participants, Staerkel Planetarium was the most familiar feature of Parkland, even outranking its widely respected nursing program.
The planetarium continues to put Parkland on the map as a center for attraction, education and the ongoing enjoyment of science. The numbers back up that reputation. The planetarium welcomes at least 15,000 visitors each year, including thousands of local schoolchildren who visit on field trips to gaze up at the stars. It is the second-largest planetarium in Illinois.
Following Dr. Lau’s opening, Erik Johnson, director of Staerkel Planetarium and professor of astronomy at Parkland College, took over to walk Media Day attendees through what to expect in the months ahead. Attendees then received a special sneak peek of upcoming shows and exhibitions.
As the lights dimmed inside the theater, an artificial night sky stretched out above the room. Presenters gave a taste of the astronomical events featured in the regular shows, pointing out fan-favorite destinations like Saturn. As the presenters noted, Saturn’s iconic rings are made up of many miniature pieces of ice and rocks orbiting over a dozen moons, a sight that never fails to captivate audiences of all ages.
The event also highlighted a diverse roster of feature shows scheduled through the end of the year:
September: “Expedition Reef”: This show is a spectacular visual journey into the ocean depths. “Beauty captivates us, diversity astounds us,” the narrator notes, as viewers are immersed in a vibrant coral reef in the Philippines, traveling through underwater habitats.
October: “Spooky Space”: This seasonal favorite features a giant Jack-o’-Lantern leading visitors to a haunted house filled with witches, zombies and ghosts for a family-friendly Halloween.
November: “Niyah and the Multiverse”: This thought-provoking presentation follows a young girl named Niyah as she interacts with a spinning galaxy like a DJ record, asking big questions about astrophysics: “What if there’s more than one universe? Could I exist in another universe? How cool would that be?”
December: “Santa’s Secret Star”: This holiday adventure starts just after Santa drops off his last bag of presents, only to realize his compass is lost. Now, he must rely on the stars to find his way home.
Through decades of stargazing, storytelling and science education, Staerkel Planetarium remains one of Parkland’s hidden gems, inspiring the next generation of adventurers to look up.
For show information or other inquiries, contact Staerkel Planetarium at planetarium@parkland.edu, visit planetarium.parkland.edu or call 217-351-2446.
