The first Friday of the month at 7pm, the Planetarium becomes a forum for a local scientist to discuss his or her specialties. Past topics have included severe weather, glaciers, the Hubble Telescope, tornadoes, insects, and wildflowers. Admission is only $1 at the door.   Teachers, invite your classes!

February 1, 2013        
DNA:  Understanding the Code of Life
The planetarium welcomes Dr. Alvaro Hernandez, director of DNA services at the university for a presentation on advances in DNA research. 

March 1, 2013        
Agriculture in a Changing World
Dr. Carl Bernacchi, professor in the UI's department of plant biology, looks at the impace of atmospheric and climate change on crop species important to the Midwest. 

April 5, 2013
Your choice!   Take our online poll!
We have a poll available where you can choose what you think is the most significant astronomical discovery made in the last 25 years that the Staerkel Planetarium has been operating.  Then we'll have a speaker visit in April to talk on that topic.   You get to choose!  Vote now!