Entry No. 37 — the Atlanta file — filed under: planetarium
Tellus Science Museum — Bentley Planetarium & Observatory
About 45 miles north of downtown, this Smithsonian-affiliated museum pairs a Bentley Planetarium dome with its own on-site observatory built around a 20-inch Planewave reflecting telescope and a Coronado solar scope — an indoor-dome-plus-outdoor-telescope combo that's unusual for a regional science museum.
The story
Forty-five miles north of Atlanta off I-75 exit 293, Cartersville seems an unlikely landing pad for serious deep-space optical gear. Most mid-sized regional science centers settle for modest static displays and simple interactive levers. Tellus—a massive Smithsonian-affiliated facility—went a distinctly heavy-duty route, anchoring its facility with serious astronomical equipment.
The core draw is an unusual high-low pairing: an immersive indoor dome coupled with an outdoor observing deck. Inside, the Bentley Planetarium uses a digital projector under a sloped dome to trace constellations and render deep space. Step outside to the observatory, however, and you are dealing with actual glass: a 20-inch PlaneWave reflecting telescope for deep-sky target tracking, complemented by a specialized Coronado solar scope for daytime sun observation. Finding research-grade optics alongside a digital planetarium dome on a single regional campus is surprisingly rare.
What it's like
You pull off the interstate into a quiet pocket of Bartow County. The museum itself spans over 120,000 square feet, but the strategic play here centers around the sky schedule. Take in a planetarium presentation under the Bentley dome first to orient yourself, then head out to the observatory deck if the night sky stays clear. If you arrive while the sun is still up, check if the solar scope is set up—viewing real-time solar activity through filtered glass is a completely different speed than looking at digital renders.
The move: Catch a Bentley Planetarium dome show, then check the observatory's evening viewing schedule for a look through the 20-inch reflector before the drive back down I-75.
- 📍 Cartersville (White, GA)
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville, GA 30120
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Old Car City USA — Located less than three miles away in White, this 34-acre graveyard of 4,000 decaying pre-1972 American vehicles is the ultimate low-tech, iron-and-rust contrast to pristine telescope optics.
- Olde Rope Mill Ruins — Break up your drive back down I-75 with a hike through 19th-century cotton rope mill ruins along the Little River in Woodstock.
- Eleanor's — Cap off an evening of stargazing in Bartow County by pulling off I-75 in Smyrna and slipping behind a walk-in cooler door for a drink.
Good to know
How far is Tellus from downtown Atlanta?
It sits roughly 45 miles north of downtown Atlanta, located directly off Exit 293 on I-75.
What kind of telescopes are in the observatory?
The facility features a 20-inch PlaneWave reflecting telescope for night viewing alongside a dedicated Coronado solar scope for daytime solar observation.
Can you actually see solar flares during the daytime?
Yes, provided weather permits and the observatory staff has the Coronado solar scope deployed for day visitors.
Which holidays is the facility closed?
The museum is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · Official site
last checked: 2026-07-19