Calendar

Silent Sky

SILENT SKY

The planetarium will host the Parkland Theatre Actors’ Studio production of Silent Sky in March. The true story of 19th century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific and heart-bound discoveries. With music and math bursting forth onstage, Henrietta and her female peers change the way we understand both the heavens and Earth. Silent Sky is written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Diane Pritchard. Tickets can be purchased in advance by visiting tickets.parkland.edu.

 

 

 

 

Prairie Skies SPRING PRAIRIE SKIES

A live‑narrated tour of the wonders of tonight's sky, accompanied by some of the legendary stories of the ancient sky. Find out what constellations and planets are visible tonight and how to find them. This show is updated seasonally and is intended for all ages.

 

 

 

Totality!

TOTALITY!

Everyone in the continental US will experience at least a partial solar eclipse on April 8. Total solar eclipses are rare and beautiful phenomena, and in this new planetarium show you will learn how eclipses happen, how to safely view one, and where these two eclipses take place. You will learn the history of eclipse watchers and how to observe safely.

 

 

 

 

 

Coyote Explores the Earth, Moon, and Sun

COYOTE EXPLORES THE EARTH, MOON, AND SUN

Explore the relationships between the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun with the help of Coyote, an amusing character adapted from Native American oral traditions who has many misconceptions about our neighbors in space. His confusion makes us think about how the Earth, Moon and Sun work as a system as we distinguish between myth and science. Examine how the Sun rises and sets and how the Sun shines, then learn about craters on the Moon, phases and eclipses. Lastly, we look at past exploration of the Moon. Originally produced by the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in North Carolina.

 

 

 

 

The Little Star That Could

THE LITTLE STAR THAT COULD

Journey with Little Star, an average yellow star, in search of planets of his own to protect and warm. Along the way, he meets other stars, learns what makes each star special, why they are different colors and how they combine to form star clusters and galaxies. Let’s hope a delightful cast of characters including Pearl and Big Daddy can help “Little Star” find some planets! This is a sensory-friendly show on March 23.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs?

DID AN ASTEROID REALLY KILL THE DINOSAURS?

Did a space rock six miles wide slam into the Earth 66 million years ago and wipe out 75% of all living species at that time, including the dinosaurs? Explore the impacts and cosmic collisions across the Solar System in this dynamic show. It includes footage from the first iridium layer found in Gubbio, Italy. This is a sensory-friendly show on March 23.

 

 

 

 

Solar System Safari

SOLAR SYSTEM SAFARI

A jungle adventurer uses a magical camera to take visitors on an exciting safari through the Solar System. The Sun, Moon, planets, and dwarf planets come to life, taking on unique personalities and describing their own characteristics and eccentricities. Learn about the planets and the current status of Pluto. A great solar system show! This is a holiday matinée on March 29.

 

 

 

 

Sunstruck

SUNSTRUCK

The Sun is humanity’s star! But what is it made of and how does it shine? Travel back to the beginning of the solar system and experience the birth of the Sun. Discover how it came to support life, how it also threatens life as we know it, and how its energy will one day fade away. Produced by the Michigan Science Center and NASA. This is a holiday matinée on March 29.