Shoot for the Moon and you’ll land in the stars at the PennWest Edinboro Planetarium.

Whether you want to stargaze, journey to distant galaxies or explore the solar system, you’ll find our planetarium to be the gateway to the universe..

It's the end of an era. After a third of a century (1992-2025) Planetarium Director Dr. David Hurd has retired and moved on to the next phase of his life. The planetarium will certainly never be the same...but the shows must go on. 

Mr. Roger Sargent will be conducting public evening shows in 2025/26 under the direction of Dr. Richard Lloyd. Sargent has been a volunteer for 29 years in the observatory and planetarium and will keep some of Dr. Hurd's traditions alive while adding a different flair to the programs. 

Whether you want to learn about the movements of Starship Earth or journey to the most distant galaxies, there will be something for everybody at the shows. And to quote Dr. Hurd, "Keep looking up!"

Do You Love Science? Consider Joining CHAOS

CHAOS (Cooper Hall Ambassadors of Science) provides PennWest Edinboro students of all majors with an opportunity to work directly with K-12 students and the public in planetarium operations and as docents for the museum.

Events at the Planetarium

The PennWest Edinboro Planetarium offers an array of family-friendly educational programs that are out of this world.

These events take place in the evening and are open to all community members and students free of charge; however, reservations are required. 

Upcoming shows

Plans for this semester’s public evening shows are still being finalized. We expect to offer two programs in March and two in April. The full schedule should be posted by mid February, so please check this site for updates. All reservations must be made online; we’re no longer able to take them by phone. At this time, we are still unable to offer daytime programs for public school groups.

Retired Planetarium Director, Dr. David Hurd (1992-2025)

For over three decades, Dr. Hurd has dedicated his career to teaching astronomy at PennWest Edinboro, sharing his passion with the wider community through public planetarium shows, and inspiring countless students by welcoming hundreds of school groups. While the planetarium won’t be the same without him, we’re proud to carry forward his legacy by continuing to educate and inspire both the public and the next generation of stargazers.

 

 

Directions and Parking

The PennWest Edinboro Planetarium is located on the first floor of the Cooper Science Center, with entry through the Museum in Room 161. Cooper Science Center is located off Darrow Road.

Cooper Science Center
230 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444
Driving Directions | Campus Map

Parking is convenient and easy to find. Please follow the instructions for Event Parking.

Contact Us

Planetarium
161 Cooper Hall
230 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: 814-732-2493

Roger Sargent
Planetarium Coordinator
Email: rsargent@pennwest.edu