University of North Alabama Planetarium and Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
In Florence, Alabama, the University of North Alabama runs a small planetarium and observatory dedicated to bringing astronomy to students and the public.
About University of North Alabama Planetarium and Observatory
Owned and operated by the University of North Alabama, the facility pairs a 65-seat planetarium with an on-site observatory, giving visitors both a simulated and a live view of the night sky.
Telescopes & research
The observatory's main instrument is a 0.35 m (14-inch) Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The planetarium projects the sky using a Spitz A3P projector paired with an East Coast Control Systems controller.
Location & getting there
The facility sits on the University of North Alabama campus in Florence, in the northwest corner of the state, and is easily reached as part of a campus visit.
Visiting University of North Alabama Planetarium and Observatory
The university offers public planetarium shows and observing sessions; check its official website for the current schedule before you travel.
See your named star from here
Once you've named a star with Star Register, an observatory like this one can point a telescope toward its exact coordinates. Browse our catalogue to find your star and plan a viewing.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check the official website and Google Maps for current times before you travel.