Planetarium

Watch the first steps as humanity returns to the Moon...live in the Boonshoft's planetarium.

On the morning of August 29th at approximately 9am, if all goes to plan, NASA will launch the first of the Artemis missions. This unmanned rocket will test elements needed to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Boonshoft guests are invited to watch the launch live in the planetarium. In a first of its kind watch party at the Boonshoft, the event will be projected in 360 degrees on our 50-foot dome.

The current estimate for the launch is about 8:30am that morning. In the event that the launch does in fact take place before the museum opens, the Astronomy staff will have the front lobby and astronomy areas open.

One World, One Sky: Sesame Street

What’s it about?
Sesame Street Muppets explore the night sky and the Moon.
Is this similar to something I may have seen before?
Sesame Street, of course, and also science-themed PBS Kids shows such as Zula Patrol or Sid the Science Kid.
Does this show have a lot of motion?
Very little. One brief sequence that appears twice makes the audience feel like they are travelling through a glowing tube.
Will my child enjoy this show?
This show is excellently suited for preschool and early elementary aged children. Older children will likely be bored or embarrassed.

Space Park 360

What’s It About?

A virtual reality roller coaster show set on various locations in our Solar System.

Is this similar to something I may have seen before?

This show feels similar to virtual reality goggles, though this is accomplished through a full-dome video ceiling instead of individual goggles for each audience member.

Does this show have a lot of motion?

Simulated motion is the whole point of this show! If it ever becomes overwhelming one can shut their eyes to make the feeling go away. The seats aren’t really moving, even though it might feel like they are. Hang on tight!

Will my child enjoy this show?

This show is very popular with guests of all ages!

James Webb Telescope initial Broadcast

Re-Live the NASA International Broadcast of the James Webb Telescope first images on YouTube. The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery was one of the sites that was part of this original broadcast.

ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS & SHOWS

The Museum’s Astronomy Department is committed to exploring the universe with Museum guests through exhibit education, public programming, evening observing, and Space Theater Shows in our planetarium, the Caryl D. Philips Space Theater.

Space Theater Shows

The Astronomy Department at the Boonshoft Museum hosts both traditional Planetarium shows and full-dome films. Ranging from 15-40 minutes, Space Theater shows* are both entertaining and educational, giving guests the opportunity for an up-close look at the Universe. In addition to crystal clear images to explore the night sky and bring objects close enough to—almost!—touch, the Space Theater also offers stunning full-dome movie presentations that are perfect for entertaining visitors from 2 to 102.

Planetarium Shows:

Live, interactive shows presented by the Boonshoft Museum's Astronomy Department take visitors on a tour through the night sky, featuring stunningly bright stars and images of the planets and moons of our Solar System, offering a glimpse of what lies "out there."

The Sky Tonight

A live show answers the question “If I go outside tonight, what will I see if the sky is clear?” Planets, the Moon, bright stars, major constellations, wonderful special effects, and current astronomical events are all featured. 30 minutes | Ages 4+

Full-Dome Films

These family-friendly educational films bring the Planetarium to full-color life with images of Earth, space, and even the distant past! Be transported to the darkest reaches of space, explore the night sky as you travel the world with your favorite Sesame Street characters, or even discover the wonders of the ancient world!

Cosmic Colors

Take an adventure along the spectrum and discover the world of color. Learn why plants are green, the sky is blue, and Mars is red. Discover how scientists use the entire electromagnetic spectrum to view the universe. 32 minutes | Ages 8+

Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs?

Join a class as they visit a museum to see the dinosaurs they have displayed. As part of the discussion, students learn about meteorites, asteroids, and comets and how they have affected Earth. 27 minutes | Ages 6+

Flying Monsters

For thousands of years humans have believed that there were once flying monsters. About 220 million years ago dinosaurs were on the rise to dominating the Earth while another group of reptiles were about to control the skies. These lizards, pterosaurs, some the size of giraffes with wingspans of 40 feet, were the first flying vertebrates. 40 minutes | Ages 6+

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure

Join Big Bird and Elmo from Sesame Street® as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from China. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the Moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. 25 minutes | Ages 2+

Space Next

The journey to reach the stars began with our earliest dreams of flying, and led to landing on the Moon and sending a probe to Pluto. But that's only the beginning. Space Next offers a glimpse into tomorrow, and the possibilities of what is to come by way of private space developments and national space programs. Ages 6+

Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter

From speculation about the Big Bang to ongoing research at CERN's Large Hadron Collider located near Geneva, Switzerland, some of the world’s top physicists are searching for ways to understand the complex phenomenon known as "dark matter". Explore what we know – and what we don't yet know! – at this dynamic presentation that takes visitors on a visually stunning journey from the initial glimmers of understanding that there is more "out there" than we can see and understand, to the cutting edge research happening today. Narrated by Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton, with sound by an Academy Award winning team at Skywalker Sound. 25 minutes | Ages 8+

Seeing! A photon's journey through space, time and mind

Follow the journey of a single photon as it is produced in a distant star, before travelling across the vast expanse of space to land on someone's retina. This fulldome planetarium show explores some of the fascinating processes of the cosmos, from astrophysics to the biology of the eye and brain. 25 minutes | Ages 6+

Seven Wonders

Experience the ancient wonders of the world as they appeared thousands of years ago. Explore the Great Pyramid, stand in the shadow of the towering Colossus, and experience the rest of the world’s Seven Wonders along with astronomical wonders of the Universe! 33 minutes | Ages 6+

SpacePark360

Take a wild ride through the Solar System! Experience the Solar System at new heights with simulated roller coasters and more. 32 minutes | All Ages

Wildest Weather in the Solar System

Fly through the thick atmosphere of Venus, magnetic storms on the sun, liquid methane showers on Titan, and anticyclones whirling at hundreds of miles per hour on Jupiter on this spectacular journey through our Solar System. From a storm the size of a 100-megaton hydrogen bomb to a 400-year-old hurricane and a dust tempest that could engulf entire planets, you'll be glad you live on Earth! 25 minutes | Ages 6+

Universe to You (MOBILE PLANETARIUM)

When a visit to the Museum is not possible we have a portable planetarium, Universe to You, that can bring the night sky to you!

Explore the wonders of the night sky and pique students’ interest in astronomy by bringing StarLab to your school or community center. Help your students enhance the observational and exploratory skills deemed necessary for today’s students to create tomorrow’s work force by the Ohio Revised Science Content standards.

What is Universe to You?

This portable planetarium requires an indoor room with clearance 11 feet high, 20 feet wide, and 30 feet in length. The planetarium is inflated using a fan, and although it is handicap accessible, most enter by walking through a low tunnel.

Note: Please allow approximately 30 minutes at the beginning and end of programs for set-up and take down.

Cost & Reservations

Program cost: 2 program minimum, or $300, $145 each additional program. Mileage included within a 50 mile radius of the museum.

For additional information about the Astronomy Department please contact 937-275-7431, ext. 122 or email astronomy@boonshoftmuseum.org.
To schedule a StarLab or Planetarium program, please contact 937-275-7431, ext. 125 or email education@boonshoftmuseum.org.

What Programs are Available?

Programs typically last 30 minutes and accommodate approximately 25 students per session. Programming can be tailored to desired topics, but often involves an exploration of the evening sky. Topics that may be covered include Earth’s rotation and orbit around the Sun, Moon phases, currently visible planets, and constellations.

Additional topics that may be considered are:

Native American constellations
Mayan constellations
The Southern hemisphere sky
Weather patterns
Deep sky objects