Star Gallery
This unique feature provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about the stars and constellations visible to the naked eye in the nighttime sky. The gallery stars range from the brightest star, Sirius, to some of the faintest visible from Atlanta. The represented gradations in brightness are as sensitive as can be discerned by the naked eye.
Each star has been carefully plotted on the ceiling, forming an illuminated star chart. The fibers used to create the stars vary in diameter, allowing them to shine with 22 varying degrees of brightness. More than 6 miles of fiber optic wires accurately portray the 542 stars twinkling above.
SkyWatch screens offer daily programming about constellations, planets, and astronomical events.
Visitors can locate the stars in the Star Gallery using the following guide:
- Stand facing the doors to the Giant Screen Theater, which is toward the south, to recognize the constellations in the appropriate direction.
- Antares in Scorpius and Arcturus in Bootes are situated near the World of Shells exhibition.
- By moving away from The World of Shells exhibit toward the Great Hall, which is eastward, individuals will pass under stars visible in the early evening during spring, summer, autumn, winter, and spring again.
- Ursa Major (the Big Dipper) is easily recognized over the double doors to the Great Hall.
- Andromeda is located near the center of the room.
- Orion nebula (M-42) is just below the belt stars of Orion.
- Aldebaran (in the constellation Taurus) and Betelgeuse (in Orion) can be found among the winter stars on the side near the Great Hall.
Make stargazing part of your next special event.
