Our most popular program for first-time younger viewers of The Planetarium. The show is hosted and narrated by Fred Penner, famed host of many children's programs on the Nickelodeon children's network, and author of countless children's books on many aspects of life. The show begins with Fred greeting the audience and an introduction of his special helper, Arnie the Arrow. Then it's off to explore things large and small in the backyard-from the colors of the rainbow to counting the ladybugs on a rose. After looking at the reasons for seasons, the stars begin to appear and we take a look at the Big and Little Dippers, and Leo the Lion. After learning about our nine planets, we take a closer look at the moon. Before we know it, the sun is rising and we're encouraged to explore the wonders and beauty of our own backyards.

Join Bleamer on his quest for a fantastic space treasure! Journey to the planets of our solar system, the constellations, and the sun in this exciting quest.

Our "place in space" is the focus of this exciting program. A host of endangered animals explore the cause of day and night, the importance of our star the sun, the beauty of the constellations, and a variety of objects that make up our solar system and galaxy, the Milky Way.

The first full-dome show will transport you on a startling and beautiful voyage through our universe, galaxy and solar system in search of liquid water. Oasis in Space incorporates the latest results of astronomical research exploring water-that simple mist mixture of hydrogen and oxygen and a key ingredient for life on Earth. See the show that will delight viewers of all ages.

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Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are? What is a star? Are all stars the same? How do stars shine? "Clouds of Fire: The Origin of Stars," answers these questions and explores the connection between the formation of stars and the formation of everything else in the Universe - from galaxies to planets to humans.

A comprehensive look at over three dozen stars and constellations. This show features photographs of various planets and deep sky objects as people actually see them when using binoculars and telescopes. It briefly discusses the effects of atmospheric turbulence, how only time exposures produce brilliant colors in galaxies, and the many colors found in the stars.

Does the universe abound with countless other planets teeming with life? Are we on the edge of a new era, soon to discover life elsewhere in the universe? Will at least one of those countless other "new" planets provide some hint that we share the vastness of space with other life? Or are we alone in the universe? "In Search of New Worlds", before turning to other planetary systems, examines events that have changed our understanding of the size and content of our own solar system.

A beam of light leaves the Andromeda Galaxy and travels across the void of intergalactic space. On a planet located in a nearby galaxy, intelligent life evolves. As the light speeds across the light years, over the course of centuries, the primitives on the planet from cultures and civilizations begin to wonder about the universe surrounding them. Their awareness of the night sky increases as the beam of light draws nearer to their planet. When the light reaches the Earth, some of the dependents of the early hunters have just escaped the bonds of their world's gravity, and visited the moon. In modern times, scientific study of space helps the planet's current inhabitants to understand the properties of light, and the ways that understanding shapes our further knowledge of the universe.

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Allison, a bright student eager to learn about the night sky, and Michael, her very uninterested brother, embark on an outing into the frigid winter night for a guided tour of the heavens. Jack Frost teaches the children and the audience about stars and winter constellation lore, and facts about star color and temperature, as well as an open-minded and imaginative approach to better understand the stellar pictures.

The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner & outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body. Narrated by Ewan McGregor.

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Watch the birth of a Black Hole, zip through a wormhole, journey past the event horizon and experience the formation of the Milky Way! Mathematical equations, cutting edge science and Einstein's theories fill in holes along the way, providing the most complete picture yet of this mysterious phenomenon. Can you feel the pull? Narrated by Liam Neeson.

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Explore the solar system and learn about space so cold that water and air can freeze. Focus is on the newly discovered moons of Saturn and Jupiter.

The vastness of our planet's oceans guards unimaginable secrets. One of its most precious is Kaluoka'hina, the enchanted reef whose magic protects it against humans finding it. Kaluoka'hina's colorful inhabitants have thus always lived in peace... until the volcano erupts, and the spell is broken. Now it's up to the young sawfish Jake and his paranoid pal Shorty to restore the magic of Kaluoka'hina. Their only lead: the ancient legend that tells of touching the moon. But how is a fish supposed to touch the moon? This is just one of the intriguing puzzles that Jake and Shorty have to solve on their most exciting adventure ever: the quest to save their beloved reef. See what many are hailing as "the most ambitious and professional production for the dome to date." In a production that sets a new standard for full dome shows, Kaluoka'hina is all that and more. As much a technological marvel as it is a wonderfully entertaining and visually captivating show.

In late 2007, the United Nations (UN) 62nd General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy, celebrating the first astronomical use of the telescope by Galileo -- a momentous event that initiated 400 years of astronomical discoveries and triggered a scientific revolution which profoundly affected our worldview. The Planetarium is participating in this extraordinary worldwide event by presenting this Show. Produced to engage and appeal to audiences of all ages, Two Small Pieces of Glass traces the history of the telescope from Galileo's modifications to a child's spyglass -- using two small pieces of glass -- to the launch of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy. It explores the wonder and discovery made by astronomers through out the last 400 years.

Move over George Jetson! The 21st century's newest space team has arrived. Stalwart Captain Bula, brainiac Professor Multo, feisty hot-doggin' space pilot Zeeter, the amazing space pet Gorga, and twin flying companions Wizzy & Wigg are the lovably wacky characters who will take our pre-Kindergarten through 2nd graders on a roller-coaster fun ride across the Universe -- and teach them critical facts about science and astronomy in the process.

The only 3D/CG high-definition animated children's show that focuses on the important curriculum of science and astronomy, The Zula Patrol is an entertaining and educational TV series that combines zesty family entertainment with proven educational elements. With a secondary goal of encouraging core values of non-violence and tolerance, the show encourages whole-family participation and interest in learning about science and astronomy, in a fun, comedic style. The Zula Patrol is distributed to public television affiliates through American Public Television.

The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather planetarium presentation is an exclusive feature created in fulldome digital format. This digital, CG-animated show features the same lovable, wacky cast of alien characters from the award-winning public television series, who take kids on a rollercoaster ride across the universe, teaching them critical facts about science and astronomy in an entertaining, comedic style.

The storyline: The stalwart heroes of The Zula Patrol are on an expedition collecting samples of weather for scientist Multo's research -- using their loyal pet Gorga's ability to collect and bottle all kinds of weather. But when other members of The Zula Patrol inadvertently hurt Gorga's feelings, he decides to find a planet within the Solar System on which to live. Interplanetary villain Dark Truder, along with his talking toupee Traxie, takes advantage of the situation to trick Gorga into helping him take the weather from the Solar System planets -- part of his latest nefarious scheme to rule the Universe (and find the legendary Kaboobie Ruby). The Zula Patrol discovers Dark Truder's plan and goes after him -- discovering all about weather in the process, both on Earth as well as interplanetary.

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This presentation traces the history and development of many of the world's most endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season -- from the burning Yule log, sparkling Christmas tree lights and candles in windows, to the lighting of luminarias in the American Southwest and the traditional ritual of the Hanukkah Menorah. The show also recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice. It also takes a look at some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions: from gift-giving and kissing under the mistletoe, to songs about lords a-leaping and ladies dancing, and the custom of decking the halls with greenery and candles. St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus all drop by as well. Naturally, there is some astronomy in Season of Light. Audiences learn a selection of Northern hemisphere winter constellations, and find out why we even have seasons, as we demonstrate the Sun's path across the sky throughout the year, and the Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun. And of course, the program explores the possible astronomical explanations for a "Star over Bethlehem" in the last quarter of the show: comets, meteors, novae and supernovae, and planetary conjunctions.

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Join Scientists who are investigating the boundary between our Solar System and the rest of our Galaxy. Designed for visitors with an appreciation for the challenges of space and a desire to learn more about science research, this Show follows the creation of NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). You'll get an in-depth look at the mission and how IBEX is collectiing high-speed atoms to create a map of our Solar system's boundary.

After spending three years at her father's astronomy research station on a dusty, dying planet, Subrah, a teenager bored by science, is excited about leaving -- and not a moment too soon. The planet's sun is a bout to explode and it's time to evacuate. When a technical glitch launches Subrah's father into space without her, she is faced with the biggest challenge of her life -- making her own getaway and returning safely home again. Join Subrah and her robot helper Sweeps on an unforgettable voyage of discovery as they unravel a cosmic riddle that points the way to planet Bekenal. You'll witness the awesome power of a supernova, explore the heart of a gaseous nebula, visit exotic pulsars and learn to keep a safe distance from a black hole!

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The earliest inhabitants of North America had legends about the sky quite different from their Mediterranean and Asian counterparts. These stories of great beauty, wisdom and humor depict the formation of the world the Indians knew.

The question is simple: How do you to tell the 14 billion year story of the Universe and the surge of the human kind... in 23 minutes? Well, "Realm of Light" is a brilliant answer. This fascinating Show at The Planetarium is a visually beautiful full-dome experience about the origin of life, the marvel of nature and significance of the human mind. It's like taking a dreamy swim through time and space. With stunning special effects and excellent sound score, this superbly animated 360&#176 production tells the story of life and its evolution from the Big Bang until the modern age of man. It's told in an elegant, philosophical way.

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Accompanied by narrators Aesop the owl and Socrates the mouse, we follow Orion’s adventures as he grows to manhood, battles mythical beasts, foils the plot of an evil king and wins the heart of Artemis, the beautiful moon-goddess. By the end of the story, we learn how the constellation Orion was placed in the sky, forever turning overhead throughout the seasons.

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Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee, Lila Downs, narrates, as Tales of the Maya Skies brings us back to the ancient jungles of Mexico, where the Maya built cities and temples aligned to movements of the Sun, Moon and planets. They made sense of an ever-changing world by observing, recording and predicting natural events such as solstices, solar eclipses, weather patterns, and planetary movements. These observations, in combination with a sophisticated mathematical system, allowed them to develop a precise calendar system; their measurements of the length of the solar year were more accurate than measurements the Europeans used as the basis of the Gregorian calendar. The Maya also predicted eclipses, were able to forecast seasonal change and developed the concept of mathematical zero, enabling them to predict events into the future.

Tales of the Maya Skies weaves together this rich combination of science, culture, and legend, immersing viewers in the sounds and sights of an ancient way of life.

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