The campus of Penn State Behrend has a place that helps the public and students, explore space.

That place is Yahn Planetarium, the planetarium has  a special, free event is planned this week, but it has a lot to offer to people of all ages.

Gaby Hidalgo loves all things galaxy, that's why she wears a moon charm around her neck every day.

"I think anything galaxy, catches my attention," said Hidalgo. 

The second year Penn State Behrend student is in-training at the Yahn Planetarium, located right on campus off college drive

But what actually is a planetarium?

"It's basically a theater and we project the stars, the planets, the sun the moon," said Jim Gavio, Planetarium Director. "We show astronomy videos on many different topics."

The planetarium holds 56 people, and students in astronomy and physics often found there. The planetarium is also open to the public.

There's Halloween events, and a valentine's day event, where the chairs go away and there's tables set up for dinner.

Jim Gavio is the director of the planetarium. It opened on the local Penn State campus in 2014, and is named after the late Patricia Yahn.

The planetarium holds 56 people, and students in astronomy and physics often found there. The planetarium is also open to the public.

That was the beginning of the Erie Planetarium in 1960, located in what's known as the Watson Curtse Mansion.

"Erie having a planetarium starting in the early 1960s was really special," said Gavio. "They were probably only four or five other planetariums in the state."

Programs are offered for all ages, and the planetarium can even be rented out for birthday parties, meetings, and other private events.

There's renderings of the zodiac signs and what they would look like in the night sky, and a gallery of memorabilia in the lobby area.

Gavio has saved signed autographs over the years, including one from his friend Michael Fink, an astronaut who has visited Erie, several times

"I think I always looked up at the moon and thought about what it would be like to be there," said Hidalgo.

Being an astronaut is something Hidalgo is hoping to be. For now, she is the assistant to the director of the planetarium

Her work, and that of volunteers, is needed to put on programs for the public, and are key to the planetariums operations.

"I think a lot of people within science, things can get very complicated," said Hidalgo. "But, I feel like anyone no matter what you were interested, can just come in to a planetarium and watch a show and really enjoy it." 

If you want to check out the planetarium on the Penn State Behrend campus, there's a free event this Wednesday, at 7pm.