Charleston's New Inflatable Planetarium: A Cosmic Adventure Awaits

Get ready, Charleston! A unique experience is coming to Citadel Mall in West Ashley. The Charleston Planetarium Society is setting up an inflatable planetarium dome right next to Planet Fitness. This 50-seat theater will offer shows on astronomy, biology, and history, all aimed at inspiring folks, especially the young ones, to explore careers in STEM fields. The society’s president, Paul Gangarosa, explains that this was the main reason they started the nonprofit two years ago. The planetarium is expected to open in February, just in time for NASA’s Artemis Flight, which is set to orbit the moon in 2026. Gangarosa believes that having a planetarium can educate and excite the community about space exploration and the return to the moon. The society hopes to expand their offerings beyond astronomy, including free public lectures they’re calling “Comets and Comments. ” Funding for this project came from a personal loan by Gangarosa himself. Tickets will be priced affordably: free for kids under 5, $7 for kids aged 6-13, $15 for adults, $10 for students and military.