About the J.M. McDonald Planetarium

On September 12, 1958, the J.M. McDonald Planetarium presented its first shows to the public. The planetarium was built with funds generously supplied by the J.M. McDonald Foundation, headed first by J.M. McDonald Sr. Upon Mr. McDonald's death, his son J.M. McDonald Jr. took control of the foundation. The foundation donated nearly $25,000 to build the J.M. McDonald Planetarium in its entirety.

The planetarium at the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History is Nebraska's only free planetarium (included with museum admission). During the summer months, planetarium staff increase the number of daily shows to accommodate the increased number of visitors to the museum.

Awesome Links

Astronomy - General

• View the Constellations
• Information About the Constellation
• Information About the Planets
• Solar System Simulator
• Sky Watchers Diary
• Sky and Telescope Magazine
  A one-stop site for all kinds of astronomy news. Lots of links to other sites.

Comets

• Comet Observation
  Run by noted comet observer Charles Morris, this site is our first stop when monitoring the behavior of a promising comet.

Meteor Links

• International Meteor Organization

Main Level

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402-461-4629 | 800-508-4629
© 2008 Hastings Museum of Natural & Cultural History