Public Shows

Public Shows for All!

Explore the universe weekly at the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium!

General Show Schedule

• Wonderstruck Wednesdays at 7p - FREE shows for all
• Fridays at 7p - Live guided tours of the universe (includes a tour of Tonight's Sky)
• Saturdays at 2p - Family Show! Pre-recorded shows that are ideal for families (includes a tour of Tonight's Sky)
• Saturdays at 7p - General Public Show! Pre-recorded shows for all ages (includes a tour of Tonight's Sky)

Ticket Prices and Information

• $5 - Adults (age 13-59)
• $3 - Children (age 6-12), Seniors (age 60+), UMD Students (must show student ID)
• Free - Children age 5 and under

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, use the link below. 

Purchase tickets here

Upcoming Show Schedule

Shows are scheduled a month at a time. The next months schedule will be posted about a week before the start of the month. Tickets for the next month's shows will also go live a week prior to the start of the month. You can find show descriptions below the calendar. 

Join us August 5th - 10th for the Dark Sky Caravan!

Show Descriptions

Wonderstruck Wednesdays at 7p - FREE Shows

Shows last about 30 minutes. Seats are first come, first served and may fill up fast. Doors open at 6:30p.

These shows will also be streamed to Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/UMDPlanetarium/live) and recorded for our YouTube channel. Audience members will not be seen on video, but they may be heard.

• Celestial Gods: Mythology of the Solar System: I wonder...what the meaning is behind the names of objects in our solar system? Fly through space and enjoy the cosmic mythology of ancient cultures from around the world. 
• Presentation by the Arrowhead Astronomical Society + Telescope Viewing: I wonder...what the Arrowhead Astronomical Society is up to? Enjoy a presentation from a member of our local amateur astronomy group - the Arrowhead Astronomical Society. Afterward, take a look at the Moon and other objects visible through our telescopes (weather permitting). If you are interested in joining, the monthly club meeting will take place right after the show. 
• Mythbusters: Astronomy: I wonder...are seasons caused by our distance to the Sun? Can you really only balance an egg on the Spring Equinox? What about the Moon, is there a dark side? Join us as we bust some astronomy myths in this fun trivia show for all ages! 
• The Mystery of the Northern Lights: I wonder...what causes the aurora? How can I see them? Do they only happen on Earth? Explore the mystery of the northern lights and get these questions, and many others, answered! 

Fridays at 7p - Live Guided Tours of the Universe

Shows last about an hour and include a tour of Tonight's Sky. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Doors open at 6:30p. 

• Journey Through the Solar System:  All aboard the MWAP spaceship, it’s almost time for liftoff! Sit back and enjoy the view as we fly around the canyons on Mars, plunge through Saturn’s rings, find out why Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet, and more! Join us on our Journey Through the Solar System.
• Expedition: Moons: Our solar system has over 150 moons! Hop in the MWAP spaceship and we’ll explore some of the most interesting moons our solar system has to offer. There’s a moon full of volcanoes, another with a giant ocean, and so much more! Join us as we set out on Expedition: Moons.
• Adventure to the Edge of the Universe: Planets and stars and galaxies, oh my! Jump in the MWAP spaceship as we take off for an epic journey to see all our universe has to offer. We’ll journey to other planetary systems, fly through giant gas clouds, and find out how many galaxies are out there. Join us as we Adventure to the Edge of the Universe.

Saturdays at 2p - Family Show 

These shows are perfect for families with kids, but can be enjoyed by all ages!

Shows last about an hour and include a tour of Tonight's Sky. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Doors open at 1:30p. 

• Larry: Cat in Space: Take off on a lunar adventure with a curious stowaway cat! A playful, imaginative cartoon presentation about an inquisitive cat who takes a trip to the Moon. This show is ideal for families with younger kids.       Watch a trailer
• Earth's Wild Ride: Imagine Earth was a distant place you once called home but could never visit again. What would you remember most about the planet, and how would you describe it to your grandchildren? Set on the surface of the Moon in the year 2081, a grandfather and granddaughter watch a solar eclipse from scenic cliffs overlooking their moon colony. Conversation leads to contrasts between the moon, the only home the granddaughter knows, and the Earth, where the grandfather has spent most of his life. As they watch the Moon's shadow move across Earth, the grandfather tells stories of crashing asteroids, erupting volcanoes, roaring dinosaurs, electrifying lightning and booming thunder. Each experience begins with a telescope view of the dynamic Earth in stark contrast with the unchanging lunar landscape.       Watch a trailer

Enjoy a sensory friendly showing on Saturday August 17th at 4p. More information here

Saturdays at 7p - General Public Show

Shows last about an hour and include a tour of Tonight's Sky. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Doors open at 6:30p. 

• Europe to the Stars: Europe to the Stars takes the viewer on an epic journey behind the scenes at the most productive ground-based observatory in the world, revealing the science, the history, the technology and the people. Discover the European Southern Observatory in a story of cosmic curiosity, courage and perseverance; a story of observing a Universe of deep mysteries and hidden secrets; and a story of designing, building and operating the most powerful ground-based telescopes on the planet. The movie focuses on the essential aspects of an astronomical observatory, while offering a broader view of how astronomy is done. From site-testing to locate the best places in the world for observing the sky, to how telescopes are built and what mysteries of the Universe astronomers are revealing.       Watch a trailer
• Dynamic Earth: Explore 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. Closed captions available upon request.        Watch a trailer