Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Our Planetarium features a newly upgraded Ultra-High Resolution 8K projection system, so your experience is sure to be out of this world! From the ancient Maya to adventures on Mars, we feature stunning shows for all age groups and interests.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled show time. Re-entry is not allowed to the Planetarium, so please make sure all students use the restrooms prior to entering.
Shows are 25-45 minutes long. Shows for grades 2 and up also include a New Jersey Sky Talk, during which a Planetarium expert will tell audiences about that evening’s night sky, showcasing the stars, planets, constellations, and deep-sky objects that can be seen after sunset. These talks are often tailored to the audience’s age and interests, and are always changing month by month as new objects rise in the night sky! Then, after stargazing, audiences will experience one of our breathtaking fulldome films. Our suite of films covers almost all areas of astronomy, as well as many branches of Earth and climate science. Including the Sky Talk and the fulldome film, the full experience is roughly 45 minutes. If there is time at the end of the film, questions from students may be answered by our Planetarium experts.
We encourage private groups and schools to pick the show that is best suited for their age range and interests. To help you select your show, trailers, detailed descriptions, and keywords can be found for each show below. Our shows are grouped by recommended grade range. Feel free to reach out with any questions about a specific show to Dr. Jacob Hamer, our Assistant Curator for Planetarium Education, at jacob.hamer@sos.nj.gov.
Shows with ES next to their name are available in Spanish. Please indicate interest in the Spanish-language option when making your reservation. Shows with ★ next to their name are among our most popular selections and are highly recommended by the Planetarium staff. Several of our shows are also brand new to our catalog (indicated with NEW!) and feature cutting-edge graphics and science content.
Planetarium shows are $5 per person, including teachers and chaperones. Groups can update total attendance numbers at the two week deadline before final payment. Please see our Information for Your Visit page for all payment and reservation information.
Show times are 10:00 am, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, and can be reserved Tuesday through Friday from September through June. Unless directly indicated in the reservation form, your show time will be determined by your stated arrival and departure times, the size of your group, and the availability on your preferred dates. Minimum group size is 15 people.
Please indicate your preferred shows when filling out the online reservation form.
The Planetarium seats 140 people, and chaperones must be included in your total count. Large groups will be scheduled for two or more shows as needed. If multiple groups are in the same timeslot, the first group to book a show time chooses the show. Shows must be selected at least two weeks prior to your reservation. If groups do not select a show, one will be selected for you based on students’ grade level.
Please Note: Shows begin promptly at the scheduled time. We are unable to start the show late or issue refunds for late arrivals. All in-person programs are subject to change. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel programs if we are unable to serve you.
Grades: Pre-K to 1 Runtime: 26 minutes
Keywords: Night Sky, Stargazing, Moon, International, Music
One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure begins on Sesame Street when Elmo's friend, Hu Hu Zhu, visits from China. Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu talk about some of their favorite constellations and realize we all see the same stars! Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu then blast off to the Moon where they learn that the Moon is a very different place from the Earth. They even pick the North Star as their friendship star to always remind them of their shared joy of looking up at the sky together.
Grades: Pre-K to 4 Runtime: 30 minutes
Keywords: Origin of Life, Adaptation, Cells, Dinosaurs, Teamwork, Perseverance
Eve may be small, but her curiosity is enormous. Unfortunately, so are her problems. When a trio of wolf bullies won’t stop picking on her, she runs away. But that night, Eve’s mother tells her three unforgettable stories. Discover how a tiny, determined cell learned to grow into something more. Follow a brave fish as it escapes the sea and learns to walk on land. Finally, join a clever squirrel who manages to outlast the mighty dinosaurs. Little Eve listens and begins to wonder: what if the smallest are far stronger than she imagined?
Grades: 1 to 5 Runtime: 29 minutes
Keywords: Solar System, Stars, Space Travel, Astronauts, Black Holes, Narrative
Travel through space with the brother-sister duo Jack and Annie….as well as their Magic Tree House! When they discover a note with a mysterious riddle, the siblings will go on a journey as they meet an astronomer, astronaut, and even the writer of the riddle. Audiences will learn about the planets, stars, what it is like to live in space, and where we are going in the future. This exciting voyage will carry visitors far into the cosmos, where Jack and Annie nearly get... well, we don’t want to give it away! The adventure is just beginning. Based on the beloved book series by Mary Pope Osborne.
Grades: 2 to 5 Runtime: 25 minutes
Keywords: Solar System, Inner Planets, Outer Planets, Narrative
Join showman extraordinaire “The Great Schiaparelli” as he takes the audience on an immersive, death-defying adventure through space with his wondrous Observatorium. From the sun-scorched surface of Mercury to the icy expanses of Pluto and beyond, prepare to experience the countless dangers and breathtaking wonders of our Solar System. Adventurers of all ages are welcome to join this exciting tour that reveals just how precious our home planet really is! Contains brief flashing lightning effects.
Grades: 1 to 5 Runtime: 25 minutes
Keywords: Lunar Phases, Eclipses, Sun & Stars, Missions, Length of Day, Seasons
Explore the relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun with the help of an amusing character Coyote (adapted from Native American oral traditions). Examine how the Earth, Moon and Sun work together as a system, with a look the Moon's orbit, craters, phases, and eclipses. Young children and audiences of all ages will appreciate learning the science behind the myths.
Grades: 3 to 6 Runtime: 25 minutes
Keywords: Sun & Stars, Fusion, History of Science, Stellar Birth, Stellar Death
Every star has a story. Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten. Others burn bright and end their lives in powerful explosions. New stars are created every day, born of vast clouds of gas and dust. Through every phase of their existence, stars release the energy that powers the Universe. Journey to the farthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of STARS. Narrated by Mark Hamill.
Grades: K to 3 Runtime: 35 minutes
Keywords: Solar System, Moon, Distance Between Planets, Spaceflight, Spacecraft, Orbits
All rookies report to class! Join Rusty Rocket on his final mission as he takes a new class of rocket rookies on a tour of the solar system. Along the way, Rusty highlights the wide variety of environments in the solar system, the great distances between the planets, and the spacecraft that explore them.
Grades: Pre-K to 2 Runtime: 19 minutes
Keywords: Lunar Phases, Motion, Observing the Moon
The Moon teaches young children about the Earth and the Moon, and how observations can help us better understand the world around us. Learn all about the Moon’s observable features, apparent daily motion, and its patterns/phases in this engaging program!
Grades: 3 to 6 Runtime: 23 minutes
Keywords: Space Travel, Astronauts, Dangers of Space Travel
The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body. Discover the perils that lurk in space as we subject ‘Chad’, our test astronaut, to everything that space has to throw at him. Narrated by Ewan McGregor.
Grades: 4 and up Runtime: 23 minutes
Narrated by Pedro Pascal, Encounters in the Milky Way brings audiences on a time-traveling journey to witness the chance encounters that have shaped our galaxy. This show is made possible by the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, also known as the “billion-star survey.” Get a front-row seat to spectacular moments in our Solar System’s past and future, discovering the paths of stars, comets, interstellar debris, and visually stunning gas and dust clouds. Finally, experience the dramatic, ongoing merger of our galaxy with the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy, visualized for the first time.
Grades: 4 and up Runtime: 25 minutes
Keywords: Satellites, Ecosystems, Climate Change
Come get a view of our world from a satellite’s perspective! We Are Guardians is a visually stunning show that reveals how the Earth, its ecosystems, and its people are all intrinsically connected. From a single bumblebee to an expansive forest, discover how each component of our planet’s beautiful ecosystems fit together. Find out how satellites can help us monitor these environments, better understand the impact of climate change, and help us to protect our shared home!
Grades: 6 and up Runtime: 28 minutes
Keywords: Time Domain Astronomy, Comets, Supernovae, Gravitational Waves
Messengers of Time and Space illuminates the revolution in astronomy driven by time-domain and multi-messenger observations. Learn how the Gemini Observatory will work with telescopes, such as the new Rubin Observatory, that monitor the night sky for exciting astronomical events that change with time. These observatories allow us to detect transient objects like interstellar comets and witness cataclysms like supernovae and neutron star collisions! Discover how information can reach us through means other than light, via messengers like cosmic rays, elusive particles called neutrinos, and even gravitational waves rippling through the Universe. Contains brief flashing lightning effects.
Grades: 4 and up Runtime: 24 minutes
Keywords: Solar System, Planets & Moons, Missions
Narrated by Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong'o, Worlds Beyond Earth tells the story of the surprisingly dynamic worlds that orbit our Sun. Based on authentic scientific data from groundbreaking space missions, the show takes viewers on an exhilarating adventure through our cosmic neighborhood. Immersive visualizations showcase the solar system with unprecedented accuracy, including a landing on the cratered surface of our own Moon, a dramatic flight through the swirling rings of Saturn, and soaring encounters with distant worlds of active volcanoes and buried oceans.
Grades: 4 and up Runtime: 24 minutes
Keywords: Light, Satellites, GPS & Radio, Exploration, Medicine
Join us on a journey from the far reaches of our known universe to our own planet. To Space and Back tells the 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 applications we use every day. From satellites to entertainment to lifesaving medicine, discover how space exploration is shaping your world in this immersive show.
Grades: 5 and up Runtime: 43 minutes
Keywords: Cultural Astronomy, Mythology, Stargazing, Nebula
One Sky Project gathers together six short films, each of which centers on the perspective of a different culture or indigenous society from around the globe. Organized around the themes of “Finding Patterns” and “To Seek Far,” the films utilize stunning animation to bring to life incredible stories that showcase how various cultures have interpreted our one night sky. The films include “The Forge of Artemis” (Greece), “Thunderbird” (Diné/Navajo), “Jai Singh’s Dream” (India), “Celestial Canoe” (Canada/Innu), “The Samurai and the Stars” (Japan), “Hawaiian Wayfinders” (Hawai’i), and an epilogue to connect them all. Contains brief flashing lightning effects.
Grades: 4 and up Runtime: 20 minutes
Keywords: Aurora Borealis, Jupiter & Saturn, Mythology
Áróra is an immersive fulldome show that transports audiences to Iceland to learn the story of the aurora, the northern and southern lights. Join us on a voyage through time and space to find out how auroras are caused by the Sun, how Earth’s auroras have siblings across the Solar System, and how different cultures have explained this majestic and mysterious phenomenon.
Grades: 5 and up Runtime: 41 minutes
Keywords: Ancient Earth, Dinosaurs, Primitive Life, Paleontology, Scientists, Giant Screen
Roam through primitive forests and thick swamps filled with bizarre dinosaurs, colossal amphibians, and egg-laying mammals all fighting for survival! Dinosaurs of Antarctica tells the story of Antarctica’s geological and ecological history, focusing on the Permian and Triassic extinction and Antarctica’s climate transition from Greenhouse to Icehouse. Follow along as an expedition of scientists uncover Antarctica’s past through the discovery of ancient animal and plant fossils. Computer-generated imagery brings to life these past eras of Antarctica’s history!
Grades: 6 and up Runtime: 25 minutes
Keywords: Stars, Supernova, Energetic Events, Elements
From the oxygen we breathe to the uranium that warms our planet’s core, we owe everything to the stars! Narrated by Diego Luna, Spark: The Universe in Us explores how hundreds of millions of celestial events have forged the elements that make up the Solar System, Earth, and us. Join us as we travel deep inside a giant star that is about to implode, experience the quiet demise of a star like the Sun, and witness the collision of compact stellar cores. Journey across space and time as we explore the movement of elements through our galaxy to understand how stars seed the Universe with the building blocks of life.
Grades: 5 and up Runtime: 31 minutes
Keywords: Space Travel, Astronauts, Travel to Mars, Narrative
Ever wonder what it would be like to fly to Mars? NASA – and others – have their sights set on the Red Planet and they’re building the technology to get us there! Explore the work being done around the globe to help make the dream of getting humans to Mars a reality. Fly through the International Space Station, where astronauts are already living and working in space, and follow the rockets and vehicles that will take humans beyond the Moon and, one day, all the way to Mars! Travel along as we imagine this remarkable journey. This film is narrated by former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison and Emmy-award winning actor Keith David.
Grades: 4 and up Runtime: 23 minutes
Keywords: Ocean Currents, Temperature, Carbon/Energy, Life, Climate Change
Dynamic Earth is an exciting show that explores the inner workings of Earth’s climate system. 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. Narrated by Liam Neeson.
Grades: 5 and up Runtime: 32 minutes
Keywords: Seasons, Eclipses, Mayan Astronomy & Culture, Mythology
Tales of the Maya Skies immerses viewers in the wonders of Maya science, cosmology and myth, as we are taken back in time to the jungles of Mexico and to the cities and temples of the ancient Maya. The beautifully illustrated story reveals how the Maya scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics that enabled them to predict solstices, solar eclipses, weather patterns and planetary movements, and through this knowledge make sense of the world around them. Contains brief flashing lightning effects.
Grades: 6 and up Runtime: 31 minutes
Keywords: Exoplanets, Detection Methods, Telescopes, Life in the Universe
Humankind has always sought to understand the mysteries of the Universe and speculated about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Today we know of thousands of exoplanets — planets located outside our Solar System — that offer valuable information about our own planet, its origins and life on Earth. We’re on the cusp of making some fascinating discoveries. But how will they change our lives? Explore the exciting realm of exoplanetary science in this show.
Grades: 6 and up Run Time: 26:35
Keywords: Planet Formation, Telescopes, Astronomers, Chilean Astronomy & Culture
A great deal of astronomy is done in the nation of Chile, due to its special climate and location, which creates stable, dry air. With its high, dry, and dark sites, Chile is one of the best places in the world for observational astronomy. Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries explores three observatories located in Chile, at extreme and remote places. It gives examples of the multitude of STEM careers needed to keep the great observatories working. Barbara Rojas-Ayala, a Chilean astronomer, narrates the show.
Grades: 8 and up Runtime: 22 minutes
Keywords: Big Bang, Distant Galaxies, Redshift, Instrumentation, Cosmic Structure
The largest structures in the universe evolve over timescales much longer than a human lifetime, so how can we understand how the universe has changed over time? Luckily, there is a way for astronomers to look back in time. DESI, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, is mapping out the positions of millions of galaxies from Kitt Peak National Observatory, Arizona to reveal how the universe has evolved over the last 13.7 billion years. Meet the astronomers who are designing and using DESI to map our cosmos and take a trip through the history of our universe!
Grades: 9 and up Runtime: 25 minutes
Keywords: Early Universe, Breakthroughs, Nuclear Physics, Experimentation, History of Science, Giant Screen
Secrets of the Universe immerses audiences in the greatest mysteries of our time – puzzles spanning from the infinitesimal to the infinite – and introduces the brilliant minds seeking to unravel them. Travel with scientist Manuel Calderon de la Barca Sanchez as he visits the largest scientific instrument ever created, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Learn just what it means to do science by taking a journey through the history of our understanding of the world around us, and get an inside look at the machine scientists are using to recreate the high-energy conditions of the early universe.
Grades: 8 and up Runtime: 19 minutes
Keywords: Climate Change, Variations in Earth Orbit, Causes of Global Warming, Solutions
As we develop a larger picture about our Earth as a whole, we are coming to see it as a complex, interconnected, remarkable world, and one that humans have impacted directly. Explore the role of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, the natural temperature variations that Earth has experienced over millions of years, and how humans are affecting our planet today. How are scientists learning about our changing climate, and what strategies are people taking to protect our future? Climate Change in Our Backyard illuminates the story of how and why our climate is changing, from the remote mountain shack in the Colorado Rockies, through ancient bubbles in Antarctic ice, and into our own homes.
Grades: 4 and up Runtime: 35 minutes
Keywords: Holidays, Seasons, Stars & Planets, Winter Solstice History, Star of Bethlehem
Season of Light explores the reasons humans are so fascinated with lighting up our lives during the December holiday season. It’s an exploration of the astronomical meanings behind seasonal traditions, including the “Star over Bethlehem.” Season of Light is a specialty program with an emphasis on astronomical and cultural themes related to the holiday season. Its educational impact is achieved through a set of multidisciplinary ideas woven through the program that help relate different holiday traditions and astronomy to the lives of students, families and the general public.
Subscribe to our Newsletter