OCC Planetarium Public Shows Calendar
Tuesday, February 24
To Worlds Beyond
4:00 pm
Eight other worlds share our solar system, each one stranger and more interesting than the last. Travel from the surface of the sun all the way to the icy realm of comets. Volcanos the size of France, storms bigger than the Earth, and clouds that rain acid are just some of the incredible things to discover on worlds both big and small as you make your journey through the Solar System.
Recommended ages: 8 and up
Habitat Earth
5:00 pm
Join us for a fully narrated pre-show, where we dive deep into the mysteries of our solar system. Is water truly the source of life beyond Earth? Embark on a thrilling exploration of the moons and planets that may harbor life, from the icy depths of Europa to the geysers of Enceladus. Discover how these distant worlds might support life and ignite your imagination about the possibilities that lie beyond our own planet.
Then plunge below the ocean’s surface to explore the dynamic relationships found in deep ocean ecosystems; dig beneath the forest floor to see how Earth’s tallest trees rely on tiny fungi to survive; and soar to new heights to witness the intricate intersection between human and ecological networks in Habitat Earth.
Recommended ages: 8 and up
Elton John: Rocket Man - LAZERDOME
6:00 pm
Elton John has sold over 300 million records over 6 decades in show business, making him one of the biggest selling artists of all time. Laser Elton John celebrates his larger than life persona, bringing the Rocket Man’s powerful music to life in gorgeous laser light. Featuring Benny and the Jets, Saturday Night, Rocket Man, and many other Elton John hits.
Get TicketsSaturday, February 28
The Great Solar System Adventure
1:00 pm
Join showman extraordinaire "The Great Schiaparelli" as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium.
From the sun-scorched surface of Mercury to the icy expanses of Pluto and beyond, prepare to be subjected to the myriad dangers and wonders of our Solar System, on a breathtaking tour that reveals just how precious our home planet really is.
Be warned though, the Observatorium isn’t just for show. It will transport the audience right to the heart of some of the deadliest locations in our slice of the heavens. It’s going to take some fancy flying to get everyone back in one piece!
Recommended ages: 6 and up
Get Tickets
One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure
2:00 pm
Explore the night sky with your favorite friends from Sesame Street in Big Bird's Adventure: One World, One Sky. Follow along with Big Bird, Elmo, and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, as they take you on a journey of discovery to learn about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun, and the Moon.
Recommended ages: 3-6
We Are Stars
3:00 pm
What are we made of? Where did it all come from?
Explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry, and our explosive origins. Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe by following the formation of Hydrogen atoms to the synthesis of Carbon, and the molecules of life.
Narrated by Andy Serkis
Recommended ages: 6 and up
Get Tickets
Skywatchers LIVE!
4:00 pm
Join one of our planetarium experts on a live guided tour of the stories, sights, and other wonders in the night sky. The constellations, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies found overhead have been part of human consciousness for millennia, and today we have the knowledge and technology to explore all of them in great detail.
Stick around after the show for a live Q&A with our presenter! This show is updated almost weekly!
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Get TicketsParking Fee
Parking on-campus is $5 for the day, 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. The fee can only be paid through the Passport Parking phone app or website and the parking permit is linked to your car's license plate number. We highly recommend parking in Lot E off of Merrimac Way (Google Maps "OCC Lot E").
Public Star Shows!
Public programs are a cornerstone of the Planetarium's mission. Regular showings are offered on weekends so anyone can come enjoy a rotating schedule of breathtaking full-dome experiences.
For all public shows, please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled show begins. There will be no late admittance due to safety concerns.
We advise against bringing children younger than 5 years old to planetarium programs. The planetarium theater gets very dark and the visuals can be alarming to young children. However, bringing young children for One World, One Sky Big Bird's Adventure is strongly encouraged!
All programs are approximately 45 minutes long.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
**The Planetarium adheres to a strict No Late Admittance policy. Once the doors have closed, the show is underway and must not be interrupted due to safety concerns.**
Skylark Speaker Series - Friday, February 27
Evangela Shread, CalTech
The Low-Mass Galaxy Frontier: From Simulations to Surveys
Low-mass, or ‘dwarf’ galaxies, are the smallest and most abundant galaxies in the Universe. They are crucial for understanding how galaxies form and evolve, constraining the properties of dark matter, and testing different cosmological models. Although dwarf galaxies are very common, astronomers have only observed a small portion of the expected population. The next generation of sky surveys, with facilities such as the Vera Rubin Observatory and the Roman Space Telescope, will enable systematic searches for faint, low-mass galaxies in unprecedented detail. In this talk, we will explore the discovery space for dwarf galaxies in the local Universe, drawing on insights from both galaxy simulations and current observations. I will highlight several ongoing and future efforts to grow the census of nearby low-mass galaxies.
Beautifica
Beautifica is a 360 journey through worlds real and imagined, from mindblowing particle fields to unashamedly euphoric fantastic environments almost impossible to describe.
The brainchild of visionary composer James Hood working with some of the finest immersive animators on the planet, this family-friendly show is a feast for the senses, which will leave your spirit refreshed and your face grinning ear to ear.
Gift Certificates
Whether it's for an astronomy enthusiast, a curious mind, or someone eager to explore the mysteries of the cosmos, our gift certificates are a stellar choice. Grab yours now and let the journey into the stars begin!