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.

For ages 16 & older (no children, please)
It’s date night at the Planetarium!  Enjoy a light-hearted look at the Universe.  Stars, constellations, songs, and stories all celebrate love.  This Valentine’s Day evening program is for adults only, please.  A similar program on Saturdays is open to everyone.

This laser concert celebrates LOVE!  Songs include “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher, and “Tale as Old as Time” from Beauty and the Beast.  The Valentine’s Day evening performance is for adults only, please. Saturday performances are open to everyone.

*FREE ACTIVITIES* 

Explore hands-on activities inspired by codes found in the song “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and in quilt squares to learn more about astronomy and the Underground Railroad, a secretive network of people and places that helped thousands of enslaved people move northward as far as Canada to escape slavery.  Participants may explore hands-on activities and view displays about nature, codes, and African Americans who have made a difference. Recommended for ages 6-12.

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.  

Discover the stars visible in the winter sky.  Then follow Santa on a trip through the solar system when a friendly alien kidnaps him.  The kids on the other planets need presents too, you know! Recommended for ages 6-10.

Watch the trailer

Listen to holiday hits such as “Wizards in Winter,” “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree,” and “Dominic the Donkey” while lasers dance on the dome overhead. Recommended for ages 6-adult.

This sensory-friendly astronomy and music show, approximately 45 minutes in length, is specially designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum or those with developmental disabilities. Neurotypical children are welcome as well. The program, which is presented on a kindergarten level, is appropriate for audiences of all ages. During the show, the doors will remain open so children may freely leave and return if they choose. Lights will be left dim (instead of dark), and the audio will be lowered and kept at a consistent level. The show will include music, laser lights, stories, and information about the planets, the Moon and constellations. Kindergarten level, all ages welcome.

Using the Planetarium’s DarkMatter digital theater, experience a guided tour of the night sky. Learn about 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.

Over the years, many people have tried to explain the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem, as described in the Bible. Was it an exploding star, a comet or some other natural event in the sky? Potential natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem and common modern-day misconceptions are discussed. The program includes a brief tour of the current night sky.  Recommended for ages 10 to adult.

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. Learn about 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)

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.

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. 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!*

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

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 can sing along with songs by a variety of artists.  “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” are all part of this fun laser program.  Recommended for ages 3-8.

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.

Watch the trailer 

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.  

Constellations memorialize love lost and love gained.  Planets are named for Roman and Greek gods who have stories of their own.  Beautiful stellar nebulas remind us of celestial flower bouquets. Discover these treasures and more in this light-hearted, family-friendly show about the love stories in the sky. Recommended for ages 10-adult.

This laser concert celebrates LOVE!  Songs include “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher, and “Tale as Old as Time” from Beauty and the Beast.  The Saturday evening, Valentine’s Day performance is for adults only, please.

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.

For ages 16 & older (no children, please)
It’s date night at the Planetarium!  Enjoy a light-hearted look at the Universe.  Stars, constellations, songs, and stories all celebrate love.  This Valentine’s Day evening program is for adults only, please.  A similar program on Saturday, February 7 is open to everyone.

Learn to find the Big Dipper and other stars in the night sky. Then, we’ll go back in time to follow a family trying to escape oppression. The Big Dipper guides the family through a frightful but rewarding voyage. Sing along with the slaves who used the song of the Drinking Gourd to travel north on foot from Alabama to Canada. Based on Jeanette Winters’ book by the same title, the show describes the astronomy behind the slave song “Follow the Drinking Gourd.”  Recommended for ages 6-12.

*FREE ACTIVITIES* Explore hands-on activities inspired by codes found in the song “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and in quilt squares to learn more about astronomy and the Underground Railroad, a secretive network of people and places that helped thousands of enslaved people move northward as far as Canada to escape slavery.  Participants may explore hands-on activities and view displays about nature, codes, and African Americans who have made a difference. Recommended for ages 6-12.

Go on a journey to discover how asteroids are both a danger and an opportunity. The danger lies in the possibility of a cataclysmic collision; the opportunity is the fascinating idea that asteroids could be stepping stones to other worlds – veritable way-stations in space – enabling us to cross the Solar System. The challenges are enormous, but a mission so extreme could ultimately lead us to protect our planet and inhabit others. Explore what it would take for astronauts to reach an asteroid and how such an adventure could benefit humankind.  Recommended for ages 8 to adult.  

Watch the Trailer

The legendary music of Queen transcends time, and this show might rock audience members right out of their seats.  Did we mention the lead guitarist, Brian May, is an astrophysicist? Come rock the cosmos in a blaze of light, sound, and color. Some of Queen’s hit songs in this show include “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Under Pressure,” and “We Are the Champions.”