Our Programs
The Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium offers FREE shows for both public and private groups (donations welcome).They are presented live by planetarium staff or members of the Arrowhead Astronomical Society. Planetarium shows are fun and exciting for adults and children alike, and combine an Educational Program with a Dark Sky Show for an hour long show. Using the Spitz A3P Star Machine, visitors are treated to the night sky as it would be seen that night. Show topics vary, and requests can be made for private shows.
Planetarium Programs
Dark Sky Shows
Stargazing Tonight!: A general introduction to the night sky. Shows may include circumpolar constellations and seasonal constellations, current astronomical events, or commonly asked questions about the night sky. Show Length: 30 min. or 1 hour.
Native American Skies: Native Americans have their own myths and legends of the night sky that differ greatly from the traditional stories we often hear. Join us for an introduction to the night sky as interpreted by early Americans. Show Length: 30 min.
The Zodiac: The twelve houses of the Zodiac were very important to the ancient people. They have astrological as well as astronomical importance. Come find out where and when to see your sign! Show Length: 30 min.
Educational Programs
The Solar System: A tour of the eight planets of our system, the sun, the asteroid belt and what lies beyond! Show Length: 30 min.
Moons of the Solar System: Jupiter has 63 moons (give or take a couple) and Saturn has at least 60, some of these are similar to our Moon but others are strange places indeed. Some may even support life. Learn about some of the most interesting bodies in the Solar System. Show Length: 30 min.
The Universe in 30 Minutes:A tour through the Universe. Can include Solar System, Stars, Galaxies, Nebulae, Black Holes, Cosmic Microwave Background, and the Big Bang. Show length: 30 min.
Pluto: the dwarf planet: Everyone has their own opinion about whether or not Pluto should be a planet. Come find out the facts about Pluto's demotion from Planet to Dwarf Planet in 2006. Show Length: 30 min.
UFO's: Fact of fiction? Come learn about UFO sightings and the evidence for the existence of aliens. How likely is it that there really is life outside our world? Show Length: 30 min.
Astronomy Lessons from Star Wars: Come find out what Star Wars can teach you about Astronomy! An action packed show full of interesting insights into how the Star Wars universe is similar to our own. Come explore the galaxy with us and may the Force be with you! Show Length: 30 min.
Mythbusters: Astronomy: Myth or Fact? Is Polaris the brightest star in the sky? Is the sky blue because of the oceans? Did we really land on the Moon? Come find out the answers to these questions and more! Show Length: 30 min.
Full-Dome Videos
Larry Cat in Space: A cartoon of a curious cat, Larry, who takes a trip to the moon. Great for young children (ages 3-6)!! Show Length: 30 min.
The Voyager Encounters: From 1979 to 1989 the Voyager 1 and 2 missions explored the amazing reaches of our outer solar system. The cameras on these two spacecraft were the first to see many of these solar system objects up close. Join us as we celebrate planet month by investigating the journeys of these two landmark spacecraft. Narrated by Patrick Stewart. Show Length: 43 min.
HUBBLE Vision 2:"HUBBLE Vision 2" is a Full-Dome video about the important discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope. Discover for yourself where stars are born and how they die; what the first galaxies in the universe looked like; and what happens when a comet crashes into Jupiter! All this, and more, presented using some of Hubble's most amazing images. It's "a fascinating tour of the cosmos - from Earth orbit!". Show length: 30 min.
lightyears from Andromeda: A beam of light leaves the Andromeda Galaxy and arrives at Earth over 2 million years later. Follow the light beam as it travels through intergalactic space and discover how vast the space is between galaxies. Learn about the history of humanity and the how astronomy developed in the amount of time it took the light beam to reach us. "Light Years From Andromeda is a story of cosmic distances, and humanity's quest to understand the universe. Take a journey of epic proportions across space and time!" Narrated by Michael Dorn. Show Length: 30 min.
Marsquest: People have always been fascinated by the planet Mars. Laern about the history of the fascination with Mars from classical times to present day. Many spacecraft have now landed on Mars and we have discovered many important things about Mars through these explorations. Finally, consider what Mars might be like in the Future. Will we ever be able to live there? Show Length: 40 min.
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