MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL): The W.A Gayle is proud to announce the re-opening of the planetarium along with the recent appointment of the new Planetarium Coordinator, William “Lee” Tinker. The grand reopening event will take place on January 27, 2023. The event is free to all.
The opening day event schedule includes the following:
- 10:00 AM - Meet and Greet with public (opportunity to meet Hallstrom Planetarium Director Jon Bell, writer and producer of the planetarium show "The Planets"), facility tour
- 11:00 AM - First showing of "The Planets"/presentation and discussion with Jon Bell regarding creation of "The Planets" planetarium show.
- 12:00 PM (noon) - Mini planetarium shows "Journey to Mars" and "Losing the Dark", Night Sky review on the dome with Lee Tinker and Jon Bell, laser show "American Space Journey"
- 1:00 PM – “Space Songs” sing-along presentation by Jon Bell, Night Sky Review on dome with Lee Tinker and Jon Bell
- 2:00 PM - Second showing of "The Planets"/presentation and discussion with Jon Bell regarding creation of "The Planets" planetarium show.
- 3:00 PM - Mini planetarium shows "Journey to Mars" and "Losing the Dark", Night Sky review on the dome with Lee Tinker and Jon Bell, laser show "American Space Journey"
Weather permitting, participants will also have an opportunity to view the Sun through specialized equipment courtesy of the Auburn Astronomical Society.
Once reopened, the W.A Gayle Planetarium will be providing Saturday shows every Saturday from February 3- April 27. The show schedules for February through April are as follows:
- 10:00 AM (Kids Show): Accidental Astronaut
- 11:30 AM (General/Family Show): The Planets
- 1:00 PM (Kids Show): Accidental Astronaut
- 2:30 PM (General/Family Show): Eclipse 2024 (from Feb 3 – April 6 in preparation for the upcoming solar eclipse), beginning April 13 – April 27, the show will be The Planets.
* Special showing of Eclipse 2024 on April 8, 2024 for the total solar eclipse
Price for regular viewing shows is $7.50 per person ages 3 and up. Children under 3 are admitted free. The summer schedule will be announced at a later date.
William “Lee” Tinker, the new Planetarium Coordinator, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the astronomy and space field and we are thrilled to have him join us. Tinker was born and raised in the North Georgia/Chattanooga, TN area where he also graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics in 1989 followed later by a Master’s of Science in Space Studies in 2009 from the University of North Dakota. He has since been an adjunct faculty member at Indian River State College in Ft. Pierce, FL. In 2021, he received the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award for the Math and Science Division and has served as temporary Director of the Hallstrom Planetarium in Ft. Pierce, Florida. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member for Chattanooga State Community College in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He is a current member of the Southeastern Planetarium Association as well as a board member for the Treasure Coast Astronomical Society in Ft. Pierce, FL. He has also served as the President, Outreach Coordinator, and volunteer Director of Education for the organization.
As the new Planetarium Coordinator, Tinker will be responsible for leading educational programming and managing day to day operations at the W.A Gayle Planetarium.
For more information or to schedule a showing, please call (334) 625-4799.
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The W.A Gayle Planetarium is an educational facility that explores the Earth and space through a unique perspective including lightshows and presentations. We will begin running Saturday showings and additional advanced group reservations with the goal to extend hours of operation starting January 27. The Planetarium is a department of the City of Montgomery.
Admission: $7.50 per person (ages 3 and up)
