Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium Welcomes 100,000th Guest – Keaton Ziem

Photo: Eric Edelman, director of the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium, and Dr. Ken Witcher, chancellor of Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus, recognize Michelle Tasseff, the planetarium’s 100,000th guest, during a special presentation. (Photo: Embry-Riddle / Connor McShane)

The Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University celebrated a major milestone this weekend by welcoming its 100,000th guest since opening in October 2017.

The milestone guest, Michelle Tasseff of Prescott, was recognized before a showing of The Universe in a Nutshell and received a commemorative gift basket and vouchers for future admissions.

“This is our seventh or eighth show,” Tasseff said. “We love Eric’s voice. This place is a gem of Prescott!”

“The 100,000th guest represents far more than a number,” said Eric Edelman, director of the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium. “This milestone reflects the curiosity and enthusiasm of tens of thousands of students, families, tourists and community members who have joined us to explore science, astronomy and the wonders of the universe.”

Over the past nine years, the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium has served as both an academic resource for Embry-Riddle students and a hub for public science education. Through immersive fulldome experiences and year-round programming, the facility welcomes university students, K-12 school groups, families and visitors from throughout Arizona and beyond, helping connect audiences of all ages with science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“This milestone is a celebration of our entire community,” said Suzy Gurton, assistant director of the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium. “We’re grateful to everyone who has visited and helped make the planetarium a place where curiosity can thrive.”

Located on Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus, the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium offers public shows throughout the year, along with educational programming for schools and community organizations.

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