The Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium Brings the Universe to You

Imagine living in your home for most of your life and never stepping out of it--never knowing what it looked like from the outside. Is it covered in brick? Does it have a tin roof?

This is how humans existed until the 1960s, when the first picture of the entire planet Earth was taken from the vantage point of space. But now, with the new technologies at the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium, we can fly you from Louisville to the edge of the known universe and back, all in a few short minutes. These unique technologies enable us to further our mission to foster interest, excitement and knowledge about the natural and cosmic world in order to develop and sustain lifelong learning for all.

But to continue to expand Louisville’s universe, we need your support. Every donation makes an impact, just look at the difference we can make. In FY2009, we served:

• 7,322 public visitors
• 10,130 students
• 1,478 teachers and chaperones

The planetarium provided them the opportunity to see 249 public shows, participate in 94 group programs, three summer camps and three family workshops, and attend 167 special events.

The planetarium depends on donations and gifts to cover one-third of its overall operating expenses, and current budget numbers show the planetarium's operations support at 6%.

Funding Priorities for the Planetarium

Listed below are some of the immediate needs of the planetarium and their total cost.

• Black Hole, a new planetarium show to premiere in 2010 - $10,000
• Educator membership program - $5,000
• Keep the Stars One, equipment costs - $800
• Space Adventure Camp Scholarship - $200
• After-school exploration club - $1,200
• EdDome portable outreach planetarium - total costs for programming and equipment - $126,000
• Full-dome technology theater - $1,500,000

How Can I Make a Donation?

You can go to the University's giving site and give online, by mail or phone. Or, you can contact Paula Campbell at the College of Education and Human Development, 502-852-0566, and arrange to make a gift towards any of the priority projects listed above.