The Star Gallery
This unique feature gives visitors the opportunity to learn
about the stars and constellations that can be seen with the naked
eye in the nighttime sky. The gallery stars range from the
brightest star in the sky, Sirius, to some of the faintest visible
from Atlanta. The represented gradations in brightness are as
sensitive as can be discerned by the naked eye.
Each star was carefully plotted on the ceiling, forming an
illuminated star chart. The fibers used to create the stars vary in
diameter, allowing them to shine with 22 varying degrees of
brightness. More than six miles of fiber optic wires accurately
portray the 542 stars twinkling above.
Visitors can find the stars in The Star
Gallery using the following guide:
- Stand facing the doors to the IMAX® Theatre, which is toward
the south, to recognize the constellations in the appropriate
direction.
- Antares in Scorpius and
Arcturus in Bootes are located near The World of
Shells exhibition.
- By moving away from The World of
Shells exhibition toward the Great Hall, which is
eastward, visitors will pass under stars visible in the early
evening in the spring, summer, autumn, winter and spring
again.
- Ursa Major (The Big Dipper) is easily recognized over
the double doors to the Great Hall.
- Andromeda is near the center of the room.
- Orion nebula (M-42) is just below the belt stars of
Orion.
- Aldebaran (in the constellation
Taurus) and Betelgeuse (in Orion)
are found among the winter stars on the side near the Great
Hall
Make star gazing part of your next special
event.
