CLASS OR GROUP PLANETARIUM SHOW INFORMATION

Planning and Arranging For a Presentation

The planetarium presentations are at no cost and are available to all "officially recognized groups" such as K-12 schools, and extra-curricular organizations such as Scout troops, church organizations, etc. by appointment.

Required groups sizes are a minimum of 20 people with a maximum of 60 people (fire code maximum). Groups Larger than 60 will need to set up two show times. Approximate length of the show is 50 minutes.

Reservations should be typically scheduled one month in advance on Thursday between 10 AM and 4 PM. Availability follows the semester's dates listed below.

We reserve shows for all officially recognized groups, if it is a group of a few individuals they can check out our astronomy public nights instead, click here for more information.

Currently we have the following show themes to choose from:

Solar System: This presentation is for all ages and is given at the grade level for your students or group. View a descriptive journey through the solar system. This includes the use of the Chronos projector, slides, and auxiliary projectors describing the planets (15 mins.). Following this journey we will see the current night sky with the positions of the planets. This will include constellations and stories about the constellations.
400 Years of Telescopic Discovery, from Galileo to the Present (suitable for 3rd grade and up): This show introduces different telescopic discoveries from the time of Galileo to the current time. Topics such as the Solar System, the Formation of Stars, Galaxies, and the Big Bang are presented (25 mins.). Following this presentation, the current night sky is shown with constellations and stories.
Monster of the Milky Way (5th grade on up): Does a super-massive black hole lurk at the center of our galaxy and in other galaxies? Could it flare up and consume our galaxy? What would it be like to fall into a black hole? Produced by NOVA as a part of PBS (35 mins.). Following the movie the Current Night Sky will be discussed and questions will be taken.
Hubble (Imax- 15 min): Journey through distant galaxies to explore the grandeur and mysteries of our celestial surroundings, and accompany the spacewalking astronauts as they service the Hubble Space Telescope. The film will inspire you and have a profound impact on the way we view the universe and ourselves.
Where are the Aliens?: Explores such provocative questions as: would "ETs" resemble us or the creatures of science fiction? Are there "aliens" already amongst us on Planet Earth—brainy creatures whose intelligence is very different from our own? And are planets on which life can flourish rare or common in our universe? (20 min, NOVA)

NOTE: We prefer not to schedule any "class or group" shows during the date (s) of Astronomy Public Nights. For more information regarding Astronomy Public Nights click planetarium_public.

School Teacher's Guide for the General Solar System Show

Planetarium presentations usually follow a general astronomy outline, including:

facts about planets in our solar system
telescope introduction
constellation tour of the sky

This outline can be modified to fit a group's particular need or background. Other topics that can and have been included are:

in-depth look at the solar system
different cultural legends/wisdom stories about constellations
objects in outer space

The choice of topics is only limited by your interest and amount of advance warning to the presenters. You can us know your group's interests when you schedule a presentation.

To Schedule a Reservation:

Please click here

(This "should" open an email for you to complete the information required to schedule your show. If that does not work, send the required information listed below to planetarium@stcloudstate.edu)

Name of Show Requested =
Date Requested = Please give several options since your first request may be already taken. Remember: Requests must be a Thursday from 10 am to 4pm.
Time Requested = Please give several options since your first request may be already taken.
Number Attending = (minimum of 20 people and maximum of 60)
Age or Grade of Participants =
Name of Group or organization =
Name of Contact Person =
Phone number and/or Email =

You can expect a confirmation within the next few days.

FOR DRIVING AND PARKING DIRECTIONS: HERE

(Shows may vary during summer and school breaks. No shows during Holidays or final exam weeks.)