Everything's Ooky, Spooky and more at the YHC Planetarium

by Steve Esser

Young Harris, GA (10/03/2025) — The planets are in alignment for a lot of activity at Young Harris College's O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium in October and November from annual favorite the "Ooky Spooky Light Show" to "Zula Patrol" and NASA research.

Ooky Spooky Light Show - Friday, Oct. 17 @ 7 & 8 p.m.

The "Ooky Spooky Light Show" is a celebration of the spooky season. Part of our cosmic concert series, this show is an annual favorite and a delight for the entire family. Classic and creepy Halloween tunes such as "Monster Mash," "Ghostbusters," and "Thriller," as well as several pop songs with lyrics on the hair-raising side, will come to life in this holiday-fueled light show. The visuals are fun, spooky, and leave audiences smiling in delight!

Purchase Tickets:

Zula Patrol: Under the Weather - Friday, Nov. 7 @ 7 p.m.

Join the Zula Patrol team on an out-of-this-world weather adventure in "Zula Patrol: Under the Weather!" Recommended for kids and families, this show features the brave and ever-curious heroes of The Zula Patrol who are back for another exciting mission - this time, all about weather. While exploring their home planet, Zula, the team sets out on a scientific expedition to collect different types of weather for their brilliant friend and resident scientist, Multo.

With the help of their lovable pet Gorga, who has a one-of-a-kind talent for bottling weather patterns, the Zula Patrol is making great progress. But things take an unexpected turn when Gorga feels unappreciated and hurt by his friends. Feeling left out and misunderstood, he makes the tough decision to leave planet Zula in search of a new home. Now it's up to the Zula Patrol to track down their old friend, stop interplanetary villain Dark Truder's wicked scheme, and restore balance to the galaxy.

Packed with adventure, science, and heart, this journey through space and storms is one that kids and families won't want to miss!

Skies Over Georgia - Friday, Nov. 7 @ 8 p.m.

Experience the night sky like never before in "Skies Over Georgia," a live, presenter-led star show, featuring the full capabilities of the planetarium's state-of-the-art optical star projector. Designed in the spirit of traditional stargazing, this immersive program transports audiences to a clear night high above the mountains of north Georgia.

You'll learn how to identify the planets and stars currently visible in the evening sky, gain tips for spotting celestial objects on your own, and enjoy a guided tour through the constellations. Along the way, discover the myths, legends, and cultural stories that have been woven into the stars for generations, revealing how humans across time and cultures have found meaning in the cosmos.

Perfect for stargazers of all ages and experience levels, this program brings the beauty and wonder of the night sky indoors.

Special Lecture with Planetarium Director, Lauren Albin - Wednesday, Nov. 19 @ 6 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public. No tickets required!

Planetarium Director Lauren Albin will lecture on her experience with NASA research on "Classifying Active Galactic Nuclei for Determining the Accretion Disk Size of Supermassive Blackholes."

Albin will share her experiences as a member of the 2025 cohort of NITARP, the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program. This past summer, Albin had the opportunity to travel to the California Institute of Technology and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where she conducted research on Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs).

Working under the guidance of NASA JPL scientist Dr. Varoujan Gorjian, the astronomers hope to map the structure of accretion disks around supermassive black holes. Accretion disks are rotating, flattened structures of gas, dust, or plasma in space that can help explain how black holes grow. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of AGNs could also contribute to refining how we measure cosmic distances, offering new insights into the "Hubble tension" and the universe's current rate of expansion.

The lecture will last approximately 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A session. Afterwards, guests are invited to stay for a brief guided tour of the night sky.

O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium features shows for the general public on select Friday evenings. Tickets for shows can be purchased at the door with cash or check. Tickets can also be purchased online via Eventbrite by visiting the following link: https://www.yhc.edu/community/planetarium/

Purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended, since planetarium shows often sell out. Observatory open houses do not require tickets. For planetarium shows, guests are encouraged to arrive early for the best seats. Public planetarium shows, with the exception of Cosmic Concerts, include a live-narrated "season stargazing" segment in addition to the featured full-dome program.

Planetarium Admission

Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door 30 minutes prior to showtime.

About Young Harris College

Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master's degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College offers 34 majors and 23 minors, ranging from Biology or Outdoor Studies to Business Administration or Kinesiology. Approximately 1,300 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the Conference Carolinas. For more information, visit yhc.edu.

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