Free Shows
We offer free IN-HOUSE planetarium shows for the public on special occasions. Watch this page and our Events Calendar for them.
NOTE: We can bring the planetarium to your school - see the Planetarium Outreach page.
Student Preparation
The 4-meter diameter inflatable dome is in a room with many astronomy and space science artifacts, meteorites, and NASA memorabilia. Students will sit on the floor on small yoga mats, and one or two small beach chairs can be added for adults. Students must be at least 8 years old and not afraid of the dark or enclosed spaces. Students must have good balance to step through the vestibule doorways and be well behaved and quiet when inside.
Dome Capacity
Assuming a class with 1 teacher, there is room for approximately 12 elementary school children, 10 middle school children, or 8 high-schoolers or adults. The dome has a double door vestibule for easy access while standing up.
Dome Equipment
The dome is kept inflated by a large box fan, so fresh air is always flowing through. An HD video projector, amplified speakers, and a computer, make up the projection equipment. The dome is made of a fire retardant material and easily flipped up and over the group for emergency exit.
Shows
The Earth Day show is "Losing the Dark" about how you can help curb light pollution.
We have a variety of 25-minute multimedia shows about planets, asteroids, Galileo, eclipses, NASA missions, telescopes, etc. (See complete list of shows here.) We also have two 7-minute shows, one on light pollution and effects on wildlife and human health, and one about the Milky Way galaxy and black holes. All shows are geared toward grades 4 and up. We can also do a “live show” about constellations and the night sky using a star planetarium software. A 15-minute live show can be combined with a 6-minute multimedia show to fill a typical half-hour experience. However, please plan on a 35 to 45-minute block per “show” to allow time for a group to enter and get settled, for show orientation, and to exit at the end.
Additional Options
When you visit our planetarium, we often also show other educational items if time allows, such as meteorites, a dinosaur egg, pieces of NASA space gear, or something pertinent to the topic you request.
In warmer spring, summer, fall seasons we also offer free public telescope nights for the public. See the Public Telescope Nights page for more information.