2009/2010 Planetarium Shows & Schedules

The planetarium is a celestial theater in the round, utilizing the complex Zeiss Mark V planetarium projector and a variety of special-effects projectors to guide the audience through the wonders of the universe. The 70-ft diameter planetarium, one of the largest in the United States, is dedicated to teaching and public enrichment.

ADMISSION FOR PLANETARIUM PROGRAMS*
Adults $4.00
Students $3.00
Seniors $3.00

FREE PLANETARIUM ADMISSION*
ASTC Passport members (with card): Free
Friends of Fernbank members (with card): Free
DeKalb School System employees (with id): Free
Planetary Society members: Free
http://planetary.org

SCHOOL GROUPS*
School planetarium programs given during the school year are aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). Schools from DeKalb County use a direct scheduling procedure. Rates for school groups outside of Dekalb County are available by prior arrangement. Please read policies here.

School groups outside of Dekalb County may contact our scheduler for reservations Mon-Fri, 8-10 am & 2-4 pm during the academic year. 678-874-7113.

Please dial 678-874-7102 on weekends or for general information.

PLANETARIUM SHOW TIMES
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
All are welcome, but great for kids 10 and under.

Saturdays 1:30 pm

PUBLIC PROGRAMS
All are welcome, but targeted at adults and children 10 or older.

Thursday 8 pm
Friday 3 & 8 pm
Saturday 3 pm

DATES AND SHOW DESCRIPTIONS
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

LION’S TALES
February 6 – February 27, 2010 “

Long, long ago, Sun and Moon lived together on the Earth....” For centuries, people have told tales about the people and animals in the sky. Your class will locate Atlanta on a globe, follow latitude lines to Africa, and explore constellations in the winter night sky.

THE AMAZING SPACE RACE
March 6 – June 4, 2010

Join our space pilots as they compete to win the amazing space race. They will have to answer astronomy questions to get clues to their next destination. If they answer everything correctly and are the first one to cross the finish line, they’ll win the race. Who will win? It’s anybody’s guess!

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

BEYOND THE PYRAMIDS
February 4 – February 27, 2010

The civilization of Ancient Egypt has fascinated us for thousands of years. With the planetarium projector as a time machine, journey into the distant past to observe the night sky and explore how math and astronomy was used to align the huge stone pyramids.

THE COWBOY ASTRONOMER
March 4 - June 4, 2010

Join us in the great western outdoors and listen to star legends and cowboy tales around the campfire. Narrated by cowboy poet and humorist Baxter Black, our cowboy astronomer gives us his perspective of the night sky, and the things he's found out over a lifetime of stargazing.

THE SKY TONIGHT
11:00 a.m. Saturday mornings (except December)

Presented live by a Fernbank astronomer, this is a guided tour through the constellations, planets, and events of the current evening sky.

PLEASE NOTE: Planetarium doors open 15 minutes prior to each scheduled performance. Admission (or readmission) after a program has begun is not possible. Regular programs last approximately 45 minutes and children's programs last approximately 30 minutes.

An adult must accompany children under 12 years of age. The public programs are targeted at adults, students and school-aged children 10 and up . The children's programs are appropriate for people of all ages, but are targeted at children 10 and under.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis for public performances. The management reserves the right to change programs without prior notice.

*Admission prices and policies are subject to change. Download admission policy statement (PDF format).

*Rates for groups are available by prior arrangement.