The Ward Beecher Planetorium

The Ward Beecher Planetorium is located in Ward Beecher Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio.

A member of an early Youngstown family, Ward Beecher was keenly interested in the economic, industrial and cultural development of the city.In accordance with his wishes that the sciences benefit young people, the planetarium has always been free and open to the public.

A major upgrade in 2006, generously funded by the Ward and Florence Beecher Foundations through their daughter, Eleanor Beecher Flad, replaced the original Spitz star projector with a GOTO Chronos and added the capability for fulldome video playback.

In addition to YSU astronomy classroom use, the planetarium has offered field trip programs to area schools and weekend public programs since opening.

Most public programs are appropriate for general audiences , although the subject matter and topics in some programs may be better suited for older students and/or adults. Parents should use their own judgment, based on the program descriptions and knowledge of their child.

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