• Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium Expands Show Dates for 2016

    Gresham, Ore. - Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium director Pat Hanrahan is back from his sojourn in Africa and has expanded the Planetarium's show schedule due to increased demand from the community. Now, each show will be available across two days, instead of one, including being presented on both the first Tuesday and second Thursday of each month.

    The 2016 season will get under way in January with a "2016 Sky Preview," which will preview the interesting events in the night sky that stargazers will be able to look forward to seeing in the upcoming year. The remaining planetarium shows for this season include:

    Jan. 5 and 14, 2016 2016 Sky Preview

    Feb. 2 and 11, 2016 Some of the Most Amazing Things in the Universe!

    Mar. 1 and 10, 2016 Wonders of the Spring Sky

    Apr. 5 and 14, 2016 26 years of Breathtaking Hubble Images

    May 3 and 12, 2016 A Rare Transit of Mercury Across the Sun (Mars at its closest too!)

    June 2 and 7, 2016 Brave New Worlds Update (Pluto, Ceres, and comet 67p)

    Show times for each date are at 6pm and 7:15 pm. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each 45-minute live program. Children are welcome to attend. The Planetarium is wheelchair accessible. Admission for the general public is now $5 and $2 for children (17 and younger) and for MHCC students (identification required). Seating is limited and is on a first come/first serve basis so early arrival is suggested. For more information about the planetarium visit: www.mhcc.edu/planetarium .

    Catalina
    Comet Catalina as imaged from Namibia by Pat Hanrahan on October 5, 2015. This comet is now much dramatic and is now visible with binoculars in our morning sky.