Some Frequently Asked Questions About the KCMSD Planetarium

Where is the KCMSD Planetarium located?
	The Planetarium is located at approximately 39oN: 94.5oW, attached to the southeast corner of Southwest High School at 6512 Wornall Road in Kansas City, Missouri. Click on the image for a larger, more detailed aerial view of the school location.

What is the fee to bring a class or a group to attend the public monthly Sky Watch?

   There is no charge for individuals or families to attend the monthly Sky Watch. Teachers or group leaders are encouraged to call and make a reservation for a program tailored for the class or group. A nominal fee of $35.00 payable to the Kansas City School District will be charged for any non-KCMSD group or class. Due to seating availability audience size is limited to 60.

When is the Planetarium Open?

   The Planetarium is open during regular school day hours for scheduled groups or classes, however programs may be scheduled at other times - after school, during the evening, and on most weekends. The one-hour monthly public Sky Watch Program starts at 7 p.m. on two Wednesday evenings. On one Saturday morning from 10-11 a.m. there is a Family Astronomy Series featuring lab lessons that are taught to students.
   Telescope viewing following the public programs may also be available.
   Due to building security requirements the doors close at the start of the program and entrance will not be possible once that happens.
   For information about programming or scheduling contact Bob Riddle, Planetarium Director at (816) 418-STAR, or via e-mail at briddle@kcmsd.net.

What types of Planetarium programs are presented?

   All programs are live audience participatory interactive presentations and unless otherwise specified are tailored to meet the needs of the group attending. Typically the program will include instruction on the use of a star map for locating prominent stars and constellations and any visible planets in addition to an update about current explorations and discoveries related to our solar system and the universe. Several short family-appropriate (10-15 minute) multi-media presentations, or NASA videos are also available upon request, or will be added to the program. Current titles are: More Than Meets the Eye, The New Solar System, and Let's Go To Mars.

May I bring young children to the Planetarium for the Monthly Sky Watch programs?

   To recreate a nighttime environment, the Planetarium theater has to be dark, and hearing strange voices and music in darkness could be frightening to younger children, no matter how often they are reassured. This may result in screaming or crying and potentially disruptive to the presentation. Of course, each child is different, but as a general rule, our monthly Sky Watch program is not recommended for children under 4 years of age.

Where are the plants? (No kidding!)

   Having a greenhouse next door sometimes causes a bit of confusion. Although the word sounds similar, there are no plants -- just planets in the Planetarium.

How do you open the dome? Where are your telescopes?

   Because both have domes and deal with astronomy, a Planetarium is sometimes confused with an observatory. Planetaria are theaters, which simulate the night sky (and even daytime skies depending on their projection capabilities). The dome doesn't open; it's just a projection screen, which the Planetarium projector uses to project the star images on the dome. Telescopes are also at the Planetarium but are in the storage closet. These may be set up outside for an observing session by request of the attending group, or following the Sky Watch program. Our telescopes are used to safely view the Sun, and the visible planets, or our Moon.

How is the KCMSD Planetarium Different From City Dome at Science City?

   A primary difference is that the KCMSD Planetarium is designed for lessons while City Dome is designed for shows. The City Dome is a 30-meter dome with more than 150 theater seats. The Planetarium projector at City Dome is an older model Spitz projector capable of projecting only a star field of both northern and southern hemispheres and may also be rotated to model the effects of daily motion. The City Dome contains numerous projection systems including all-sky projectors operated through a totally automated system.

Are there other Planetaria in Missouri?

   According to statistics compiled through the International Planetarium Society there are approximately 3236 Planetaria worldwide with well over half of that number in the United States. In Missouri there are 6 Planetaria with 3 located in public school districts (Maryland Heights, Columbia, Kansas City), 2 in Science centers (St. Louis, Kansas City), and 1 at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.