McHenry County College (MCC) is excited to announce the addition of a new state-of-the-art Digistar Planetarium Projection System which will enhance educational opportunities for students and the community.
The Digistar system offers real-time, interactive access to information from NASA, NOAA, USGS, and other scientific sources. This technology allows audiences to witness live updates on earthquakes, volcanoes, weather patterns, ocean currents, and more, providing an unprecedented learning experience in geology, geography, meteorology, and beyond.
“We are incredibly excited to introduce Digistar to our students and the public,” said Marla Garrison, Director of the Liebman Institute for Science Innovation at MCC. “This system is a game-changer for how we engage with science, education, and the universe. Whether you’re studying planetary surfaces, exploring deep space, or tracking live weather events, our planetarium is now one of the most advanced in the region.”
Instructors can create fully interactive lectures with Digistar, integrating images, videos, YouTube clips, and real-time data into a seamless presentation. The system also provides access to the latest James Webb Space Telescope images, real-time eclipse simulations, and deep dives into celestial phenomena such as black holes and stellar evolution.
The addition of the Digistar system was funded thanks to a generous anonymous donation.
“We’re so excited to join prestigious institutions, including Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, in utilizing Digistar’s cutting-edge capabilities,” said Garrison. “It’s a big step forward in our ongoing effort to support STEM education and boost scientific literacy.”
The College also recently added two new shows to its planetarium thanks to a generous donation from the Mercedes Paulsen Memorial Fund, established by Tom and Stephanie Paulsen. The new shows include National Parks Adventure and Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival.
"Thanks to the generosity of the Mercedes Paulsen Memorial Fund, our planetarium is expanding its impact with two stunning new full-dome experiences,” said Garrison. “National Parks Adventure, narrated by Robert Redford, immerses audiences in the breathtaking beauty and rich geology of America’s national parks, while Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival fills a critical need for high-quality programming designed for young learners. This exciting addition allows us to go beyond astronomy, offering schoolchildren a dynamic, curriculum-enhancing experience that brings science, history, and exploration to life in an unforgettable way.”
Full descriptions of each show and detailed showtimes can be viewed here.
Reservations are required. The MCC Planetarium Gift Shop will also be open during showtimes and offers a variety of space-themed refreshments and gifts.
Each show is open to the public and costs $15 per person ($10 for students and seniors). Space is limited to 45 people per show. All shows are appropriate for children.