Pinnacle Mountain State Park | Little Rock

Information

Landmark: Pinnacle Mountain State Park
City: Little Rock
Country: USA Arkansas
Continent: North America

Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Little Rock, USA Arkansas, North America

The Russell C. Davis Planetarium is a public astronomy education facility located in Jackson, Mississippi, USA.

Visual Characteristics

The planetarium is a cylindrical structure constructed primarily of concrete and glass. Its exterior features a light grey concrete facade with horizontal bands of dark grey. A prominent feature is the large, domed projection theater, which is covered in a white, reflective material. The building stands approximately 20 meters tall.

Location & Access Logistics

The planetarium is situated at 201 E. Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS 39201, within the Jackson Cultural Center complex. It is approximately 1.5 kilometers east of the Jackson city center. On-site parking is available in a dedicated lot adjacent to the building. Public transport options include the Jackson Transit System bus routes that service the downtown area, with stops within a 5-minute walk.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The Russell C. Davis Planetarium was constructed in 1976. It was designed by the architectural firm K.W. Johnson & Associates. The facility was established to provide educational programming and public outreach in astronomy and space science for the residents of Jackson and surrounding areas.

Key Highlights & Activities

The primary activity is attending shows in the StarDome theater, which features a 70-foot diameter projection dome. Educational programs and laser light shows are presented daily. The facility also houses exhibits related to astronomy and space exploration. Special events and lectures are scheduled periodically.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available within the building. Limited seating is provided in public areas. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available. Food and beverage options are not available on-site, but several restaurants are located within a 1-kilometer radius in the downtown area.

Best Time to Visit

Showtimes vary daily; checking the official schedule is recommended. For optimal viewing of exhibits, visiting during weekday mornings is advisable to avoid larger crowds. No specific tidal or astronomical conditions are required for planetarium visits.

Facts & Legends

The planetarium is named in honor of Russell C. Davis, a former mayor of Jackson who championed the project. A unique aspect of the StarDome is its ability to simulate celestial events with high accuracy, including historical eclipses and the appearance of the night sky from different points in Earth's history.