Public Shows at the Planetarium

Welcome to a comfortable and judgement-free zone to learn some astronomy. This sensory-friendly astronomy and music show is specially designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum and other developmental disorders. Neurotypical children are welcome as well. The program is presented on a kindergarten level, but all ages are welcome. Enjoy music, laser lights, stories, and information about the planets, Moon, and constellations. During the show, the doors remain open so children may leave and return if they choose. Lights are kept dim (instead of dark) and music is at a consistent level.

 How do STEM workers, NASA professionals, athletes, and business executives cope with stress? Mindfulness. Meditation is a powerful tool for maintaining psychological health and resilience. Since the planetarium offers a dark and quiet space for relaxation, it is the perfect place for meditation. Enjoy a guided meditation experience in the comfortable, reclined seats in the RVCC Planetarium. Relax under a night sky filled with stars, then travel from Earth to beyond our galaxy. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

We have astronomy and music programs for families with kids ages 3 and older. 3:00 pm is “Rockin’ Rocket Ride.” 4:00 pm is “Lasers for Littles” music and laser concert.

Join us for hands-on activities celebrating Astronomy, Science, and 100 years of Planetariums! Observe the Sun (safely) and the Moon through our telescopes. Use your body to tell time on a sundial. The 3M Observatory will be open for solar observing during the day and peeks of the Moon and other celestial objects in the evening sky. The event is appropriate for families with children ages six and older. Activities are free. Planetarium shows and laser concerts are an additional cost.
 

NEW SHOW

Max, the dog, and a young girl named Tori take the first trip to the Moon since the Apollo era. Along the way, the story breaks to cover more sophisticated science like the phases of the Moon and if Frisbees could work on the Moon, thoughtfully explained so grownups and children can learn together. Max and Tori’s trip proves so inspiring to people back on Earth that all the nations of the world come together to build a great Moon colony from which “the beautiful views of Earth from the Moon made everyone realize that we all share a small and precious planet.” (Recommended for ages 6-12)

Sing along while lasers dance on the dome overhead. Songs include “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, and “Can’t Stop this Feeling” by Justin Timberlake. (Recommended for ages 6-12) 

Welcome to a comfortable and judgement-free zone to learn some astronomy. This sensory-friendly astronomy and music show is specially designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum and other developmental disorders. Neurotypical children are welcome as well. The program is presented on a kindergarten level, but all ages are welcome. Enjoy music, laser lights, stories, and information about the planets, Moon, and constellations. During the show, the doors remain open so children may leave and return if they choose. Lights are kept dim (instead of dark) and music is at a consistent level.

Using the Planetarium’s upgraded DarkMatter digital theater, experience a guided tour of the night sky. Discover some of the popular constellations visible from sunset to sunrise, as well as the stories behind them. Hear about how and where in the sky to find the brightest planets. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 8 to adult)

How do STEM workers, NASA professionals, athletes, and business executives cope with stress? Mindfulness. Meditation is a powerful tool for maintaining psychological health and resilience. Since the planetarium offers a dark and quiet space for relaxation, it is the perfect place for meditation. Enjoy a guided meditation experience in the comfortable, reclined seats in the RVCC Planetarium. Relax under a night sky filled with stars, then travel from Earth to beyond our galaxy. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

NEW SHOW

From the journey of protons racing through the world’s largest particle collider in Europe to up-close views of the Big Bang and emergent universe, and the nearly mile-deep descent to an underground experiment in South Dakota, this new planetarium show is designed to immerse audiences in the manifold search for dark matter. This program showcases this exciting exploration, from the Big Bang to its anticipated discovery at the Large Hadron Collider. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) 
 

The 1970’s is the theme for this laser concert. You’ll recognize all these songs from the albums and cassettes you may still have at home. “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” by BTO, “Heart of Glass” by Blondie, and “You Took the Words Right Out of my Mouth” by Meatloaf are some of the hits you’ll hear tonight. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

Join us for hands-on activities celebrating Astronomy, Science, and 100 years of Planetariums!  Observe the Sun (safely) and the Moon through our telescopes.  Use your body to tell time on a sundial.  The 3M Observatory will be open for solar observing during the day and peeks of the Moon and other celestial objects in the evening sky.  The event is appropriate for families with children ages six and older.  Activities are free.  Planetarium shows and laser concerts are an additional cost.

Robo-kids Cy, Annie and their dog Armstrong get a lot more than they expected from their class field trip in an impromptu adventure. Travel along exploring the Sun, Earth and Moon, with a witty starship computer as navigator and guide. Race along on the surface of the Moon! Collect an asteroid sample in low gravity! Survive a solar storm! Find new appreciation for the unique beauty of Earth. Journey along with the Accidental Astronauts in this epic dome theater adventure. (Recommended for ages 6-12)

Trailer: https://youtu.be/lRd13aDT_mA

Sing along while lasers dance on the dome overhead.  Songs include “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, and “Can’t Stop this Feeling” by Justin Timberlake. (Recommended for ages 6-12)

Welcome to a comfortable and judgement-free zone to learn some astronomy.  This sensory-friendly astronomy and music show is specially designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum and other developmental disorders.  Neurotypical children are welcome as well.  The program is presented on a kindergarten level, but all ages are welcome.  Enjoy music, laser lights, stories, and information about the planets, Moon, and constellations.  During the show, the doors remain open so children may leave and return if they choose.  Lights are kept dim (instead of dark) and music is at a consistent level.  

May the 4th Be with you. Does science fiction always precede science fact?  Using the Planetarium’s DarkMatter digital theater, we will explore planets and moons beyond our Earth that look suspiciously like worlds described in the Star Wars universe.  We will also experience a guided tour of the stars and constellations of the night sky.  Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 8 to adult)

Calling all Swifties! Sing along to some of Taylor’s hit songs like “All Too Well,” “Blank Space,” and “Anti-Hero.”

How do STEM workers, NASA professionals, athletes, and business executives cope with stress? Mindfulness. Meditation is a powerful tool for maintaining psychological health and resilience. Since the planetarium offers a dark and quiet space for relaxation, it is the perfect place for meditation. Enjoy a guided meditation experience in the comfortable, reclined seats in the RVCC Planetarium. Relax under a night sky filled with stars, then travel from Earth to beyond our galaxy. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) 

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is creating the most detailed map of our nearby universe. Installed on the Mayall telescope on Kitt Peak in Southern Arizona, DESI's 5000 independently operated robots can measure the light from thousands of galaxies at once. Join us as we explore the science, instrument, and people behind this global endeavor. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeggpUt4Dec

Put on your space suit and blast-off into outer space to visit the Moon, Sun and planets. A lively experience for young people with selected music from "Journey Into Space" by Jane Murphy. (Recommended for ages 3-8)

Trailer: https://youtu.be/ThkByJaMh4w

Our youngest audience members are encouraged to sing along with songs by a variety of artists. Songs in this fun laser concert include “Kalien the Alien” by mr RAY, “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon” from Sesame Street, “Fruit Salad” by the Wiggles, and “Baby Shark.” (Recommended for ages 3-8)

How do STEM workers, NASA professionals, athletes, and business executives cope with stress? Mindfulness. Meditation is a powerful tool for maintaining psychological health and resilience. Since the planetarium offers a dark and quiet space for relaxation, it is the perfect place for meditation. Enjoy a guided meditation experience in the comfortable, reclined seats in the RVCC Planetarium. Relax under a night sky filled with stars, then travel from Earth to beyond our galaxy. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)