Programs

Planetarium Programs

Don't Miss Our Planetarium Shows! Check Out Our March Schedule Below

Located on the second floor of the Museum, our state-of-the-art, all-digital planetarium presents live and playback programs designed both in-house and by other production companies. From learning about the night's constellations to experiencing the wonders of space flight, your exploration of the universe begins here!

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Kids' Special Programs

Age-appropriate for elementary school children

Accidental Astronauts (best for ages 6 to 12)
Follow the adventures of Sy, Annie, and their dog Armstrong on an unexpected journey into space! Explore the Earth, Sun and Moon with a wise-cracking starship computer. Follow an asteroid as it crashes into the Moon and bounce along with them on the lunar surface. Dodge a solar storm and gain a new appreciation of our home planet. Produced by Clarke Planetarium.

Earth, Moon, and Sun (best for ages 7 - 12)
Discover why the sun rises and sets, why the moon has phases and craters, and more-all with the help of Coyote, who may have a bit to learn himself! Produced by UNC Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

Flight Adventures (best for ages 6 - 12)
Discover the science of flight through the eyes of a young girl and her grandfather as they explore how birds, kites, planes, and models fly. Learn about the history and future of flight and how NASA is discovering new and safer ways to travel with the help of future engineers and aviators -- like you! Produced by Indianapolis Children's Museum.

Larry Cat in Space (best for ages 5 - 10)
Follow the adventures of Larry Cat as he sneaks into a spacecraft to follow his human to a moon base. Learn about the moon -- or as cats call it, the "meeoon!" This show was created by Loch Ness Productions.

The Little Star That Could (best for ages 5 - 10)
Follow the story of Little Star, an average yellow star searching for planets of his own to protect and warm. Along the way he meets other stars, learns what makes each one special, and discovers that stars combine to make star clusters & galaxies. Finally Little Star finds his planets, each introduced with basic information about the solar system. Produced by Audio Visual Imagineering, Inc.

Rusty Rocket's Last Blast (best for ages 5 - 12)
After decades of teaching Rocket Rookies the basics of astronomy and rocket science, Rusty Rocket has plans to retire. His last mission is an introductory tour of the the solar system and the planets' environments. Rookie candidates in grades 1 through 5 and their families are welcome to come with Rusty -- will it really be his last blast? Produced by Sudekum Planetarium.

Programs for the General Public


Galaxies and Cosmic Castaways (best for ages 10-adult)
What are galaxies? Are they all the same? What happens when they collide? Visit the planetarium to explore the realm of the galaxies! Produced by LSM Planetarium & Ward Beecher Planetarium.

The Modern Universe (best for ages 7 - adult)
Different every time, this live program is about our modern understanding of space and the universe. Questions welcomed! The sun? Saturn? Exoplanets? Galaxies? What would you like to learn today?

The Sky Tonight (best for ages 5 - adult)
This live presentation introduces visitors to evening constellations, bright stars, and planets.

Discover the Stars (best for ages 10 - adult)
On a clear, dark night, how many of us have gazed upon the stars...and wondered? Go beyond a simple observation of the night sky and delve into the fascinating lives of stars. Why do they differ in brightness and color? How are they alike and how do they differ from each other? How long do they last—and what happens afterward? Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the night sky! Produced by Bays Mountain Productions. 

Stars (best for ages 10 - adult) 
Every star has a story. Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten. Others burn bright and end their lives in powerful explosions. New stars are created every day, born of vast clouds of gas and dust. Through every phase of their existence, stars release the energy that powers the Universe. Journey to the farthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of STARS. Produced by Sudekum Planetarium and NSC Creative -- distributed by Sky-Scan, Inc.

Astronomy Shorts (best for ages 8 - adult)
Three different programs on three different topics, each 6 to12 minutes long: “Journey to the Center of the Milky Way,” “Solar Quest,” and “Losing the Night.” Go from lighting our cities to our personal star to the black hole at the center of the Milky Way! Produced by the European Southern Observatory, the Carnegie Science Center, and Loch Ness Productions.

Stars of the Pharaohs (best for ages 10 - adult)
Travel to ancient Egypt to see how astronomy was used to tell time, make a workable calendar, and align huge buildings. Learn about the connection the ancient Egyptians felt with the stars and various astronomical phenomena, and experience some of the most spectacular temples and tombs of the ancient world. Produced by Evans & Sutherland.

Full Planetarium Schedule