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Welcome to the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory, operated by "Friends of LBL!" Explore such phenomena as white dwarves and black holes, all unveiled on our planetarium's 40-foot dome. Novice astronomers can learn to identify the constellations on a simulated night sky. Or head to the Golden Pond Observatory, where you can observe the stars through one of our telescopes or spy solar flares through our Hydrogen-Alpha refractor.

Golden Pond is also home to the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers, WKAA, a group of star-gazers representing a four-state region. Join us for an evening of stargazing!

Click HERE for a recent Golden Pond Visitor Center & Planetarium video! (courtesy RoundAbout U.)

TO VISIT		SCHEDULE
The Golden Pond Planetarium is located inside the Golden Pond Visitor Center - the Observatory is located behind the building. The Visitor Center is located in the center of LBL, where The Trace and US Hwy. 68/80 meet. Golden Pond Visitor Center & Planetarium GPS Coordinates: N 36 46' 41.13'' W 88 03' 45.2''		SEASON: March 1 to mid-Dec. The Golden Pond Planetarium is closed Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28-30, and Dec. 24 - Feb. 28. Call 1-800-455-5897 for more information. MARCH-MAY: 7 days: 10 am, 12, 1, 2 , & 3pm (Mon-Fri) 10, 11 am, 1, 2, 3 pm (Sat-Sun) JUNE-AUGUST: 7 days: 10, 11am, 1, 2, 3pm (Mon-Fri); 11am, 1, 2, 3, 4pm (Sat-Sun) Special Shows 7 & 8:30 pm (Tue, Fri, & Sat) and 9:30pm certain Sat. nights. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER: 7 days: 10am, 12, 1, 2, 3 pm (Mon-Fri) 10, 11 am, 1, 2, 3 pm (Sat-Sun) NOVEMBER: 5 days: 10am, 12, 1, 2, 3 pm (Wed-Sun) DECEMBER: 5 days: 10, 11am, & 1, 2, 3 pm (Wed-Sun) HOURS: Golden Pond Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 pm. Planetarium show times are listed above. For safety reasons we cannot allow anyone to enter the planetarium after a show has started, please arrive on time for planetarium shows ADMISSION: Daytime Planetarium Shows: Ages 13 & up, $4; Ages 5-12, $2; 4 & under, free. Evening & Special Shows are higher rate. Pre-scheduled discount Group rates are available. Call 270-924-2020. No charge to look through our telescopes during WKAA meetings. GROUP LEADERS: Click HERE for group information.

Planetarium Shows

The Golden Pond Planetarium is located inside the Golden Pond Visitor Center. Schedule is subject to change.

December 1-23

‘Tis the Season – Look at seasonal, religious, and cultural rituals from around the world, and how the stars and planets have played an important role in these celebrations throughout history. See “'Tis the Season” Wed-Sun at10am, 1 & 3pm, $2/$4.

Christmas Story – Explore the customs of Christmas, origins of the Christmas tree, traditions of Santa Claus, the Wise Men, and Hanukkah. See the skies as they looked in the Holy Land at the time of Jesus, as told to a young girl by her father before the day of Christmas celebration. See “Christmas Story” Wed-Sun at 12pm & 2pm , $2/$4.

 

Click HERE for more details on planetarium, laser, or observatory programs.

Golden Pond Observatory

The observatory is home to the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers. WKAA meetings are held each Saturday closest to the New Moon and the public is invited to attend at no charge. For a complete list of WKAA meetings, look on our calendar of events. Our observatory houses a 12.5" custom-built Newtonian telescope that is set up for astro-photography. There is also a 4.5" refractor set up for Hydrogen-Alpha viewing of the sun. General observing is done through a 17.5" Dobsonian and two 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes.

 

Almanac | Calendar | Celestial Sites