Augustana College's John Deere Planetarium will be open to the public on Saturday, April 28 for an evening of stargazing and astronomy events. The planetarium, located at 820 38th Street, Rock Island, will be open from 8:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., with indoor and outdoor programs in the planetarium, the Carl Gamble Observatory, and the building's grounds.  In the event of cloudy sky conditions, the indoor planetarium programs will still be offered. There is no charge for admission.

Planetarium Director Dr. Lee Carkner will be joined by Director Emeritus Dr. Mel Peterson, members of the Augustana College Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Augustana College Physics Club in leading the programs and in answering visitor questions.

The Fryxell Geology Museum, which features one of the best collections of minerals and fossils in the Midwest, will also be open to the public.  Available for viewing are a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, the wall of glowing, fluorescent rocks and the complete 22-foot long skeleton of Cryolophosaurus, a large crested carnivorous dinosaur discovered in Antarctica.