The Charles F. Hagar planetarium opened its doors in 1973. Since that time, we have served an estimated 100,000 visitors, including SF State students, San Francisco school children, community groups, and members of the general public. We have also trained and mentored hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students interested in planetarium operations and science education and outreach. Many have gone on to careers in education in the Bay Area, California, and beyond. All of our offerings are free and the planetarium is wheelchair accessible.
The Spitz projector at the center of the room projects more than 1300 stars, along with the Sun, Moon, and planets, onto the dome-shaped ceiling. Three rows of circular seating accommodate 45 visitors at a time. We use the planetarium to give live shows in which we simulate what the sky looks like from anywhere on Earth, at any time of the day or night, rain or shine (or fog). We also use it to to speed backwards and forwards in time to help visualize and make sense of the patterns of motions of celestial bodies.
Visit Us
Thornton Hall, 4th Floor, Room 422
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
Public Shows
The campus community and local community are invited to public shows, which take place most Fridays, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. during the regular academic year. Special reservations can be made on other days for school field-trips.
Questions & Inquiries? Please contact Jim Gibson (Astronomy Laboratory, Planetarium, and Observatory Technician) at jimg@sfsu.edu or 415-338-6164.