Dooley Planetarium

The Francis Marion University Planetarium opened its doors in 1978. At its heart was a Spitz System 512 Projector which could project a total of 2,354 stars, as well as several prominent galaxies and star clusters on a 33 foot dome with 73 seats for visitors. In 2000, with the passing of its first director, Mr. Ed Dooley, the planetarium was officially named, Dooley Planetarium.

In 2014 ScienceSouth, Inc. and Francis Marion University were awarded a grant from NASA to host a series of programs called NASA Saturday in the Pee Dee. As part of the grant, FMU was sub-awarded monies to use for the renovation of the planetarium to a fully digital system, replace the lights around the dome, and upgrade the sound system to Stereo 5.1 surround. Gone from the center of the planetarium is the Spitz-512 star projector. In its place sits a metal platform and railing system around two HD projectors. Now we have a fully digital planetarium system known as Digistar 5 from Evans & Sutherland. The platform and was constructed by Severance Metal and Steel Fabricating, Inc. right here in Effingham, SC.

The lighting system around the dome was removed and replaced with the AstroFXAurora LED Lighting system from Bowen Technovation. They also upgraded our sound system by adding in a fifth speaker, relocating the subwofer, and adding an additional amplifier and new mixer. Their system also is integrated into the Digistar 5 system allowing us total control of the LED lights and sound during productions.

In June 2016 the planetarium underwent a third phase of upgrades. New seating from American Seating was installed. The seating plan now provides larger seats as well as some additional leg room. New carpet and wall color round out the changes made during the upgrade.