The Flynn Planetarium: Exploring the Stars Here in Elkins

The Flynn Planetarium, located inside the Eshleman Science Center on the Davis & Elkins College campus, offers activities for students, faculty, and community members. The planetarium is currently run by Dr. Jerod Caligiuri, an assistant mathematics professor at D&E who also serves as its director.

The Flynn Planetarium hosts monthly community shows. It has a capacity of 25, so seats are limited. Each show lasts between an hour and an hour and a half. The first portion focuses on a theme or topic, ranging from solar systems and star deaths to what is currently visible in the Elkins night sky. The second portion features an IMAX-style film adapted to the dome ceiling, taking viewers through outer space. Recently, concessions such as popcorn have been added for a dollar to create more of a movie theater experience and to help pay for IMAX movie licensing fees, which range from 30 to 150 dollars.

In addition to public shows, the planetarium is used for a variety of events. D&E’s Student Government hosts movie nights there as a private event for students, and Dr. Caligiuri has accommodated private requests such as family reunions and visits from groups like the Girl Scouts and YMCA programs.

The Flynn Planetarium relies heavily on self-funding and donations. When Dr. Caligiuri first took over, he said the equipment dated back to the 1970s and was lacking.

“Maintenance was keeping things running, but we were able to upgrade to a digital projection system with a mirror to cast images on the dome. That is really the lowest-end projection system you can get,” he said.

With donations, a few improvements have been made. Still, Dr. Caligiuri hopes to apply for grants in the future to further renovate and enhance the planetarium experience; currently any donations given by attendees go directly to the planetarium.

For more information about the planetarium or upcoming shows, visit:

https://www.dewv.edu/about/flynn-planetarium-at-davis-elkins-college/

This article was written by Alyssa Stump, a Davis & Elkins College student studying communications and journalism.

Image credit: Leon Kaye