Planetarium Programs

Please note that the maximum capacity for the Planetarium is 35 individuals. This number includes children, teachers, and chaperones. Please take this into account when planning your program. We can only present one planetarium program at a time, so please plan on splitting into two groups if you’re bringing more than 35 individuals. 

(CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS) 

Alabama State Standards for Education objectives are listed below each program. Please click here to see details of each objective.

Live Programs 

Seasonal Stars & Stories
In this fully immersive program, students will experience the night sky in our state-of-the-art digital Planetarium. Set to Landmark Park’s latitude and longitude, our Planetarium allows students to learn about what will be visible that night, as well as learning the mythology associated with the stars and constellations. Recommended age: K and above; Program Length: 35 minutes
Alabama State Standards for Education: Objective SCI.1.8.2, SCI.1.8.3, SCI.1.8.4, SCI.1.9.1, SCi.1.9.2, SCI.1.9.3, SCI.5.16.1, SCI.5.16.4

Full Dome Movies 

The Little Star That Could
Little Star is 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, and discovers that stars combine to form star clusters and galaxies. Eventually, Little Star finds his planets. Each planet is introduced with basic information about our solar system. Recommended age: PreK-2nd Grade; Program Length: 35 minutes
Alabama State Standards for Education: Objective SCI.5.16.1, SCI.5.16.4, SCI.6.2.2

The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
Join two children on a magical journey through the Solar System, aided by a talking book, a cardboard rocket, and a vivid imagination. During this imaginative show, audiences will land on Venus, fly through the rings of Saturn, and discover the secrets of the Solar System. Recommended age: PreK-2nd Grade; Program Length: 40 minutes
Alabama State Standards for Education: Objective SCI.5.16.1, SCI.5.16.4, SCI.6.2.2

To Space and Back
To Space and Back takes audiences on an incredible journey from the far reaches of our known universe to our own planet. It is an extraordinary story of human ingenuity and incredible engineering, describing how the technology that transports us through space is paving the way for the devices and apps we use every day. What is happening above is coming back down to Earth! Recommended age: 6th Grade and Above; Program Length: 25 minutes
Alabama State Standards for Education: 

Earth, Moon and Sun
This planetarium show explores the relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun with the help of Coyote, an amusing character adapted from Native American oral traditions who has many misconceptions about our home planet and its most familiar neighbors. His confusion about the universe makes viewers think about how the Earth, Moon and Sun work together as a system. Native American stories are used throughout the show to help distinguish between myths and science. Learn the basics of fusion and solar energy and why the Sun rises and sets. Examine the Moon’s orbit, craters, phases and eclipses. You’ll even take a look at past and future space travel to our Moon … and beyond! Recommended age: All Ages! Program Length: 25 minutes
Alabama State Standards for Education: Objective SCI.2.9.1, SCI.3.5.1, SCI.3.5.2, SCI.3.5.4, SCI.3.6.1, SCI.3.6.2, SCI.5.16.1, SCI.5.16.4

Astronomy: 3,000 Years of Stargazing
The sky, and everything that happens in it, has always piqued our curiosity. Eclipses, the regular cycle of the seasons, and the motion of the stars have fascinated us since our earliest ancestors looked up to the sky. In the learned company of a cartoon Einstein, this show takes audiences on a tour of the major astronomical milestones of the last 3,000 years — from the cosmological models of antiquity, through the Ptolemaic system of epicycles, to the contributions of Copernicus, Newton, Hubble and many others. We explore the discoveries made possible by the use of technology — from the first telescope used by Galileo — to modern ones in use on Earth and in space. Recommended age: 6th Grade and Above Program Length: 30 minutes
Alabama State Standards for Education: Objective SCI.5.16.1, SCI.5.16.4

Two Small Pieces of Glass
While attending a local star party, two teenage students learn how the telescope has helped us understand our place in space and how telescopes continue to expand our understanding of the universe. The students see how telescopes work and how the largest observatories in the world use these instruments to explore the mysteries of the universe. While looking through the astronomer’s telescope, the students explore the Galilean Moons, Saturn’s rings, and spiral structure of galaxies. They also learn about the discoveries of Galileo, Huygens, Newton, Hubble and many others. Recommended age: 4th Grade and Above. Program Length: 25 minutes
Alabama State Standards for Education: Objective SCI.1.3.1

Dynamic Earth
Dynamic Earth explores the inner workings of Earth’s great life support system: the global climate. With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations, this cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the Sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere, oceans, and the biosphere. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes. Recommended Age: 7th Grade and Above. Program Length: 40 minutes
Alabama State Standards for Education: Objective SCI.K.3.1, SCI.K.3.3, SCI.K.3.4, SCI.K.7.1, SCI.K.7.2, SCI.2.8.1, SCI.2.8.2, SCI.2.8.3, SCI.2.8.4, SCI.2.9.1, SCI.2.10.1, SCI.2.11.1, SCI.2.11.2, SCI.2.11.3, SCI.3.5.1, SCI.3.5.2, SCI.3.5.4,SCI.3.6.1, SCI.3.6.2