Entry No. 14 — the Savannah file — filed under: planetarium
Georgia Southern University Planetarium
A full-dome "immersive astronomy laboratory" run by the physics department that turns Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon into a 360-degree light show synced to the domed ceiling, alongside straight astronomy programs like Galileo: The Power of the Telescope with live constellation tours.
The story
An hour west of Savannah's coastal humidity, tucked inside Georgia Southern University's physics department, sits a full-dome astronomy laboratory that spends part of its time as a serious educational facility and part of its time blasting 360-degree laser-and-light shows across its ceiling. It’s an academic planetarium, meaning you aren't fighting tourists in a bloated museum concourse—you're stepping into a working university dome designed for immersive celestial study.
The programming runs a weirdly satisfying spectrum. On one night, you're sitting through *Galileo: The Power of the Telescope* followed by a live, real-time tour of whatever stars happen to be sitting directly above Bulloch County that season. On another, the staff dim the house lights, turn on the full-dome projector, and blast Pink Floyd's *Dark Side of the Moon* synced to custom 360-degree visuals, or screen specialized public journeys transporting the room to the Arctic Circle.
What it's like
Head to 1332 Southern Drive on the Statesboro campus. Inside, the seating is angled sharply upward so you lie back and stare straight up into the overhead arc. Because it operates inside a university building rather than a massive commercial science facility, capacity is genuinely tight. Public show runs are periodic rather than daily, drawing a mix of local students, regional skywatchers, and tuned-in locals—so securing advance tickets online before making the drive out from Savannah isn't optional.
The move: Book the Dark Side of the Moon dome show (recent runs were $5/ticket, two showings an evening) or a Galileo/night-sky program, then lie back under the dome and actually look up at whatever's overhead that season.
- 📍 Statesboro
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 1332 Southern Drive, Statesboro, GA 30458
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Celestial Seafarers at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum — Pair an astronomy dome show out in Statesboro with an evening of maritime star-navigation history back in Savannah.
- The Healing Lounge at Get Tanked Float Center — Make a full day trip out of total sensory immersion by pairing the planetarium dome with a couples float cabin in nearby Hinesville.
- Conjüre912 — Balance scientific sky-gazing with a look into dark metaphysical oddities in Savannah's Historic District.
Good to know
Where on campus is the planetarium located?
It is located at 1332 Southern Drive on Georgia Southern University's main campus in Statesboro, about 55 miles west of downtown Savannah.
How much do tickets cost and how do I get them?
Public evening shows (like the Dark Side of the Moon projection runs) have recently cost $5 per ticket. Because seats inside the dome lab are limited, advance online reservations are required.
What kind of shows are on the schedule?
The lineup rotates between straight astronomy programs—such as Galileo features paired with live-guided local sky tours—and light-and-music events built around classic albums or specific atmospheric phenomena like the Arctic Circle.
Can I just drop in anytime?
No. Public showings happen on specific scheduled evenings throughout the academic term, so you must check their event calendar and book a specific time slot beforehand.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · griceconnect.com · Facebook
last checked: 2026-07-20