We Love Astronomy
For more than half a century, we’ve been connecting all ages to the universe by sharing expert astronomy knowledge in fun and meaningful ways.
With adept staff and dedicated volunteers, we’ve offered planetarium shows, free Star Parties, and a wide range of exciting talks and demonstrations (like the comet chef activity pictured above). Thanks to generous donors, Gladwin Planetarium and Palmer Observatory are state-of-the-art educational facilities. This year, we’re upgrading our Space Sciences exhibit for the voyage ahead.
We’re working on an updated version of this exhibit to offer a strong foundation in planetary astronomy, spark curiosity that reaches from our own backyard into outer space, and relay cutting-edge information from NASA and NOAA. Let’s empower all guests to appreciate our planet and its place in the universe! We plan to install the new exhibit January 2025, with a grand opening April 25, 2025.
You can help us launch the next generation of space scientists. Any amount advances us towards our funding goal of $500,000, by small steps or giant leaps!
Click here to donate today, or contact Director of Philanthropy Caroline Baker at cbaker@sbnature2.org or 805-682-4711 ext. 109.
Funds raised: $391,050
Goal: $500,000
Recognition
Donors who make a gift of $100,000 or more can choose to be recognized prominently in one of the three main exhibit areas, Space from Earth, Earth from Space, or Space Today. Donors of $25,000 to $100,000 can choose to have their name associated with one of the exhibits within the gallery. (A list of exhibit options will be available this summer.) Donors giving $1,000 or more will be recognized in the Space Today exhibit area.
Milestones in Museum Astronomy
![We Love Astronomy For more than half a century, we’ve been connecting all ages to the universe by sharing expert astronomy knowledge in fun and meaningful ways. With adept staff and dedicated volunteers, we’ve offered planetarium shows, free Star Parties, and a wide range of exciting talks and demonstrations (like the comet chef activity pictured above). Thanks to generous donors, Gladwin Planetarium and Palmer Observatory are state-of-the-art educational facilities. This year, we’re upgrading our Space Sciences exhibit for the voyage ahead. We’re working on an updated version of this exhibit to offer a strong foundation in planetary astronomy, spark curiosity that reaches from our own backyard into outer space, and relay cutting-edge information from NASA and NOAA. Let’s empower all guests to appreciate our planet and its place in the universe! We plan to install the new exhibit January 2025, with a grand opening April 25, 2025. You can help us launch the next generation of space scientists. Any amount advances us towards our funding goal of $500,000, by small steps or giant leaps! Click here to donate today, or contact Director of Philanthropy Caroline Baker at cbaker@sbnature2.org or 805-682-4711 ext. 109. [insert cool graphic maybe like this that could be planets and fill up as we go]https://cmoekids.org/themes/custom/cmoe2018/assets/images/capital_campaign/meter-desktop-off.png Funds raised: $60,000 Goal: $500,000 Recognition Donors who make a gift of $100,000 or more can choose to be recognized prominently in one of the three main exhibit areas, Space from Earth, Earth from Space, or Space Today. Donors of $25,000 to $100,000 can choose to have their name associated with one of the exhibits within the gallery. (A list of exhibit options will be available this summer.) Donors giving $1,000 or more will be recognized in the Space Today exhibit area. Explore the history of our astronomy facilities 2023 - Gladwin Planetarium receives major operating system and equipment upgrade, including 4K projector 2020 - Gladwin Planetarium full seating upgrade 2015 - Palmer Observatory dome replacement, new telescope and mounting system. Photo by Gary Robinson Last major space lab updates. Magic planet, Dreier meteorites, E/M spectrum interpretation 2000s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to CRT projector 1990s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to video projector 1980s - Space Lab era retained the original Foucault pendulum and added early interactive computer exhibits 1970s–1980s Gladwin Planetarium era of Spitz A3P “starball” projector 1967 Doris Fay Palmer Observatory established 1957 Gladwin Planetarium (a gift of Mrs. Harold S. Gladwin) established with Spitz optomechanical system](/uploads/pages/20230713-012-EditWeb-1715356844.jpg)
2023 - Gladwin Planetarium receives major operating system and equipment upgrade, including 4K projector
2020 - Gladwin Planetarium full seating upgrade
2015 - Palmer Observatory dome replacement, new telescope and mounting system. Photo by Gary Robinson
Last major space lab updates. Magic planet, Dreier meteorites, E/M spectrum interpretation
2000s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to CRT projector
1990s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to video projector
1980s - Space Lab era retained the original Foucault pendulum and added early interactive computer exhibits
1970s–1980s Gladwin Planetarium era of Spitz A3P “starball” projector
1967 Doris Fay Palmer Observatory established
1957 Gladwin Planetarium (a gift of Mrs. Harold S. Gladwin) established with Spitz optomechanical system
Click here to donate today 
