The image above is a mosaic of the asteroid Eros's southern hemisphere taken by the NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) spacecraft.  The set of images that make up this mosaic were taken on December 3, 2000, from a distance of 124 miles.  A couple of months later, on February 12, 2001, NEAR landed on Eros.  It was the first spacecraft to ever land on an asteroid, and it even continued to operate after landing.

Eros is one of many asteroids in our solar system.  This month you can even spot an asteroid in the night sky using just a pair of binoculars.  The asteroid Vesta is visible through binoculars this month, but it is not easy to find.  However, on February 18^th, Vesta will be close to the binary star Algieba, in the constellation of Leo, the lion.  Algieba's two stars and Vesta will share the field of view through binoculars or a small telescope the night of the 18^th.

Visit the Planetarium this month to learn more about asteroids and how to find Vesta.
And imagine what you'll see just by looking up!

Our Theater

FREE public shows, Mon., Wed., and Sat.

Located just 20 miles west of New Orleans on US 90.
In the St. Charles West Regional Library 105 Lakewood Dr., Luling.
Call 985-785-8471 to schedule a private group showing or for showtimes.

Our planetarium has forty-two large theater type seats and the latest in digital technology with over 110,000 stars, offering an immersive portal to our universe.