Public Shows at the Planetarium

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.  3pm is “Rockin’ Rocket Ride.”  4pm is “Lasers for Littles” music and laser concert.

Join us for hands-on activities celebrating Astronomy and Science!

Activities will be set up at the RVCC Theatre prior to their 2pm “Janet’s Planet” show (separate admission) and then by the RVCC Planetarium from 2:30-5pm.  The 3M Observatory will be open for evening viewing, including 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.  Theatre show, Planetarium shows, and laser concerts are an additional cost.

Janet’s Planet: A Tour Through the Solar System at RVCC Theatre

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.  

Coyote thinks he knows everything about the sky, but he’s surprised by how many misconceptions he has about eclipses, moon phases, and the motion of the day and night skies. This program also includes an introduction to the stars we see in tonight’s sky. Recommended for ages 6-12.

Watch the trailer

Lasers dance across the dome while we listen to songs you can sing along with like "Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Jae Jepsen, and "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift to name just a few.  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.

Kari Byron from Crash Test World and MythBusters launches us on a journey beyond the Earth towards a sustainable future in space. NASA’s 21st Century Artemis program, named after the Greek moon goddess and twin of Apollo, is the next step in our mission to explore the universe.  Recommended for ages 8-adult.

We recognize Women’s History Month with a laser concert featuring all female artists. Singers Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Beyoncé, and Shakira are just of few of the ladies whose music is highlighted in this show. Recommended for ages 8-adult.

Calling all Swifties! Sing along to some of Taylor’s hit songs like “All Too Well,” “Blank Space,” and “Anti-Hero.”  Recommended for ages 8-adult.

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.

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.

A family from another star system is seeking the perfect vacation spot. Fly over the surface of Pluto, our best known dwarf planet; sail through the rings of Saturn; feel Jupiter’s lightning storms; and walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination will they choose? 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, and travel from Earth to beyond our galaxy. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) 

Listen to hits from The Fab Four’s long career, such as “Twist and Shout,” “Revolution,” and “Get Back,” while lasers animate the songs on the dome overhead.  Recommended for ages 10-adult.

*New Show!*
Deep beneath the Earth’s crust, with no light, no air, and very little water, in pores and fissures of hard rock, scientists have found an enormous biodiversity of micro-organisms that thrive in extreme conditions. Dark Biosphere challenges us to rethink not only the origin and evolution of life on Earth, but its possible existence throughout the Universe. Made possible with a grant from NASA’s Space Grant Consortium. Recommended for ages 10-adult.

Watch the Trailer  

1:00 – 2:00 pm at the RVCC Theatre, prior to their 2 pm show. 
2:30 – 5:00 pm, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the RVCC Planetarium

Join us for hands-on activities celebrating Astronomy and Science!  Activities will be set up at the RVCC Theatre prior to their 2 pm “Janet’s Planet” show (separate admission) and then by the RVCC Planetarium from 2:30 – 5:00 pm. 

The 3M Observatory will be open for evening viewing, including 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.

Travel with an average yellow star on his quest to get a “name” and a planet to call his own. A “cool” red star, a “hot” blue star, a dying star, double stars and the Milky Way Galaxy teach Little Star some important things about being a star. Imagine Little Star’s surprise when he discovers that several planets revolve around him. The show offers a introduction to the different kinds of stars in space, as well as the planets in our solar system. 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, and travel from Earth to beyond our galaxy. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) 

Space exploration is having a big impact on your life. Not only is it helping discover a universe of unimaginable scale and beauty, it’s reaching back down into our world and influencing the way we live. “To Space & Back” takes you on an incredible journey from the far reaches of our known universe to our own planet. The technology that transports us through space is paving the way for the devices and apps we use every day. What’s happening above and beyond is coming back down to Earth. Recommended for ages 10-adult.

Watch the Trailer

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.

Watch the Trailer

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.