MAIN FEATURE
“The Dark Matter Mystery – Exploring a Cosmic Secret”
Main Feature: January 2 – April 28, 2019
Tuesday – Friday: 4 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 1 PM, 4 PM
What keeps galaxies together? What are the building blocks of the Universe? What makes the Universe look the way it looks today? Researchers all around the world try to answer these questions. We know today that approximately a quarter of the Universe is filled with a mysterious glue: dark matter. We know that it is out there, but we have no idea what it is made out of.
This planetarium show takes you on the biggest quest of contemporary astrophysics. You will learn why we know that dark matter exists and how this search is one of the most challenging and exciting searches science has to offer. Join the scientists on their hunt for dark matter with experiments in space and deep underground. Will they be able to solve… the Dark Matter Mystery?
Show length ~35 min.
ALTERNATE FEATURE
“Exploring New Horizons”
Alternate Feature: March 2 – April 28, 2019
Saturday – Sunday: 2 PM
“Exploring New Horizons” explores the New Horizons spacecraft and its mission to dwarf planet Pluto and other KBOs. This program also exhibits the importance of the scientific method and how it applies to our understanding of the Solar System.
Starting from ancient times, learn about the history of planetary discovery, especially that of Pluto, and how it has led to an amazing mission to explore the Kuiper Belt. A basic overview of the whole Solar System is included.
The show will be followed by an update on the mission and it’s recent pass by MU69. A tour of our current night sky using our stunning Carl Zeiss Starmaster ZKP-4 star projector follows.
Show length ~40 min.
“First & Farthest”
Main Feature: April 30 – September 2, 2019
This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the first landing on the Moon with the crew of Apollo 11.
From the first rockets, to the first man on the Moon, First and Farthest celebrates humanity’s great accomplishments in the Space Race. This show will bring back memories for those who experienced the Space Race and inspire new generations to keep exploring our Universe. With its discussion of science, technology, engineering and mathematical concepts, First and Farthest supports a STEM-focused curriculum. This show was created by Ott Planetarium.
A tour of our current night sky using our stunning Carl Zeiss Starmaster ZKP-4 star projector follows.
Show length ~35 min.
“Appalachian Skies – Spring”
Alternate Feature: May 4 – June 30, 2019
“Appalachian Skies – Spring” will take visitors on a majestic tour of the evening sky using the spectacular Carl Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector instrument. Its fiber-optic generated star field is stunning and a pleasure to see. You don’t want to miss it! Produced in house and led by planetarium staff, learn what fascinating constellations will be easily visible. Marvel at their ancient lore. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these sights for themselves.
Show length ~35 min.
“Cosmic Colors”
Alternate Feature: July 1 – September 2, 2019
This show is great fun for the whole family. “Cosmic Colors” will take you on a wondrous journey across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Discover the many reasons for color—like why the sky is blue and why Mars is red. Take a tour within a plant leaf and journey inside the human eye. Investigate x-rays by voyaging to a monstrous black hole and then back at your doctor’s office. You will even see the actual color of a dinosaur–based on recent evidence. Get ready for an amazing adventure under a rainbow of cosmic light!
This show was produced by the Daniel M. Soref Dome Theater & Planetarium at the Milwaukee Public Museum for the Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA).
A tour of our current night sky using our stunning Carl Zeiss Starmaster ZKP-4 star projector follows.
Show length ~40 min.
“The Transit of Mercury featuring ‘Solar Quest.'”
Main Feature: September 3 – November 10, 2019
A transit of Mercury across the Sun is an event that happens when Earth and Mercury are in just the right positions for an alignment with the Sun.
Bays Mountain Planetarium is proud to present “The Transit of Mercury featuring ‘Solar Quest.’” In this live and interactive program, visitors will explore the small, rocky world of Mercury from its rare glimpses in the twilight skies to recent explorations by the Messenger spacecraft. The powerful nature of our Sun is presented through a short segment entitled “Solar Quest,” which was produced by the Buhl Planetarium at Carnegie Science Center. A live activity demonstrating the relative sizes and distances of Mercury, Earth and Sun highlights why transit events are somewhat rare occurrences. Information about how to observe this event safely is included.
“The Transit of Mercury featuring ‘Solar Quest’” was written and produced by Bays Mountain Planetarian, Jason Dorfman. The live content is rich with great full-dome animations, use of the Carl Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector, and a fun activity!
Show length ~40 min.
“Appalachian Skies – Fall”
Alternate Feature: September 7 – October 27, 2019
“Appalachian Skies – Fall” will take visitors on a majestic tour of the evening sky using the spectacular Carl Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector instrument. Its fiber-optic generated star field is stunning and a pleasure to see. You don’t want to miss it! Produced in house and led by planetarium staff, learn what fascinating constellations will be easily visible. Marvel at their ancient lore. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these sights for themselves.
Show length ~35 min.
“Under the Milky Way”
Alternate Feature: November 2 – December 31, 2019
This is a great show that highlights our very own Milky Way galaxy. We look into the structure of our galaxy and how it was formed. We also look back, starting with an ancient Chinese star lore story, to our continuing understanding of what our galaxy is and how large it is.
The show’s second feature is a live presentation utilizing some of the wonderful capabilities of our Carl Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector as well as our digital projection system. We’ll highlight our current night sky, but relate it to our show’s topic. Learn about some other celestial delights found within our galaxy. We conclude our program by transforming our position on earth and travel down to the southern hemisphere and spy the two largest dwarf galaxies that orbit us, the Magellanic Clouds.
Show length ~35 min.
“Appalachian Skies – Winter”
Alternate Feature: January 4 – March 1, 2020
“Appalachian Skies – Winter” will take visitors on a majestic tour of the evening sky using the spectacular Carl Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector instrument. Its fiber-optic generated star field is stunning and a pleasure to see. You don’t want to miss it! Produced in house and led by planetarium staff, learn what fascinating constellations will be easily visible. Marvel at their ancient lore. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these sights for themselves.
Show length ~35 min.
“Discover the Stars”
Alternate Feature: March 7 – April 26, 2020
On a clear, dark night, most of us, at one time or another, have gazed upon the stars and wondered about all those tiny points of light. Many of us are able to identify different patterns and constellations in the stars. But, what are those tiny points of light? This exciting program takes viewers beyond a simple observation of the night sky and delves into the fascinating lives of stars.
When we look up at the night sky, we can see that stars vary in brightness and have many different colors. The program reveals what is similar to all stars and what makes them unique. In “Discover the Stars,” we explore the many facets of a stars’ life. One of which is to venture deep into a giant molecular cloud to witness the birth of a new star. Stars also do not last forever. The program looks at the different ways that stars end their lives and the astronomical wonders that are left behind.
A tour of our current night sky using our stunning Carl Zeiss Starmaster ZKP-4 star projector is included.
Show length ~40 min.
“Appalachian Skies – Spring”
Alternate Feature: May 2 – June 30, 2020
“Appalachian Skies – Spring” will take visitors on a majestic tour of the evening sky using the spectacular Carl Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector instrument. Its fiber-optic generated star field is stunning and a pleasure to see. You don’t want to miss it! Produced in house and led by planetarium staff, learn what fascinating constellations will be easily visible. Marvel at their ancient lore. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these sights for themselves.
Show length ~35 min.
Tickets are $5.00 per person. Children ages 5 and under will be given a free pass with a paying adult.
Park Association members enjoy free passes!
Tickets are available on the day of the program and can only be purchased at the gift shop.
Group rates to regularly scheduled public shows are $4.00 per person. The group must have at least 15 people, including children of all ages, and no other discounts may be used with group rates. Groups must make reservations in advance by calling 423-229-9447. The tickets will be released if not purchased within 30 minutes of show time.
Planetarium theaters are unique, educational spaces and are far different than a movie theater. As such, we have some rules that are common for the planetarium theater community that we do enforce.
Food, drinks, gum, and candy are not allowed in the theater.
Also, due to safety measures, we do not allow anyone to enter the theater once the doors have closed. The theater is extremely dark inside. If you leave during a program, you cannot re-enter.
Thank you for your understanding.
Directions
Directions
