Downing Planetarium

Weekend Shows

About

Public shows at the Downing Planetarium are on selected Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. There is free parking available for our weekend visitors in parking lot P15, next to the the planetarium (shown in green on campus map).

RESERVATIONS

We will begin taking reservations for the June public shows May 25th when the shows are posted.

Admission Prices

Show Schedule (June Public Shows will be posted May 25th)

DAY	TIME	SHOW
Friday May 1, 2026	6:00 PM	Stars:Powerhouses of the Universe (SOLD OUT)
Friday May 1, 2026	7:30 PM	Exploding Universe (SOLD OUT)
Saturday May 2, 2026	2:00 PM	3-2-1 Liftoff! (SOLD OUT)
Saturday May 2, 2026	3:30 PM	Unseen Earth (SOLD OUT)

Current Planetarium Shows

Stars: The Powerhouses of the Universe

Every star has a story. Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten. Journey to the furthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of stars. Content includes stellar evolution, space exploration, the electromagnetic spectrum, and the history of astronomy. Every star has a story. Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten. Journey to the furthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of stars. Content includes stellar evolution, space exploration, the electromagnetic spectrum, and the history of astronomy.

Exploding Universe

Out of cosmic destruction comes new creation. Explosive events shape the universe we see today—some vast, others surprisingly small.When massive stars die in supernovas, they scatter the elements that form planets and life. Black hole collisions twist space itself, unleashing bursts of unimaginable energy. On Earth, eruptions like supervolcanoes have reshaped our planet into a cradle for life. Even the tiniest reactions between atoms echo the forces that forged the early universe.This show follows a single proton through these moments of chaos and renewal, revealing how creation is born from cosmic catastrophe.

3-2-1 Liftoff!

This family oriented program tells the story of a hamster engineer named Elon. He lives in a junkyard and builds flying machines. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. No matter what, excitement is always guaranteed!

Unseen Earth

This program is a fulldome documentary exploring how satellite technology has revolutionized our understanding of Earth over the last 50 years. The show reveals the planet as a dynamic ecosystem, showcasing unexpected colors, patterns, and data that help monitor environmental shifts and natural disasters.