Grosse Pointe Public Schools Planetarium

The Planetarium was first opened in 1981. It was built as a result of a generous gift from the estate of Mr. Benjamin Long, who designated that the funds could be used only for a planetarium. It was built at North High School because of available space there. An Astronomy class was added to the high school curriculum as a result of its construction.

In addition to the Planetarium, district students have access to several optical telescopes that are occasionally used on clear nights during the school year.

Due to budget cuts, all public after school and evening programs were eliminated in 1997.

The Planetarium has a Spitz A3P star projector and a control console, audio and lighting system designed by East Coast Controls.

Links to:

Mrs. Herrold's blog

Sky Calendar

GP North Astronomy

Radio Astronomy Team (RATs)

The Planetarium serves as the Astronomy lab room for North and South students.  It is also a frequent meeting spot for the school’s Radio Astronomy Team (the RATs). 

Grosse Pointe Public Schools students in grade 4 and Earth Science students in grade 9 visit the Planetarium each year as part of their science curriculum. Other classes make use of the facility on request. 

Classes from other schools can arrange for their own programs on a fee basis. All programs are live and about 50-60 minutes in length. Available dates are limited and receive second priority to district scheduling.  Programs must be scheduled at 2:00 p.m. on weekdays during the school year. The minimum group size is 20. The seating capacity is 38.

For questions or to schedule a visit, send an e-mail to:
Ardis.Herrold@gpschools.org or call 313-432-3264
and leave a message to schedule a visit.

Directions and Parking

The Planetarium is located at the back of the Performing Arts Center (C Building) at North High School, 707 Vernier Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.  Enter through the Staff parking lot off Morningside Rd. Drive until just before the first building closest to the street and turn right into the smaller parking lot.  Enter through to doors closest to the parking lot.  The Planetarium is a few doors down on the left.

On the diagram at left, C marks the location of the Planetarium and P marks the parking lot.