MAIN FEATURE
“Sunstruck”
Main Feature: September 1 – December 31, 2018
Travel back to the beginning of time and experience the birth of the Sun. Discover how it came to support life, how it threatens life as we know it, and how its energy will one day fade away.
The show is immediately followed by a live presentation that utilizes our Carl Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector in which we’ll highlight our current night sky and its major constellations and any Solar System objects visible.
Show length ~40 min.
ALTERNATE FEATURE
“Appalachian Skies – Fall”
Alternate Feature: September 1 – October 28, 2018
“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.
“Planetary Visions”
Alternate Feature: November 3 – December 31, 2018
“Planetary Visions” is a fantastic, interactive program that is best described as an adventurous tour of the Solar System. With its whimsical, flying robot main character, Toggle, and the interactivity of the operator with the show and the audience, this is a treat for all who attend.
This program was produced by Bays Mountain Productions and highlights the incredible talents of the exhibits and planetarium staff. The program includes a tour of the current night sky.
Show length ~40 min.
“The Dark Matter Mystery – Exploring a Cosmic Secret”
Main Feature: January 2 – April 28, 2019
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.
“Appalachian Skies – Winter”
Alternate Feature: January 5 – February 24, 2019
“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.
“Exploring New Horizons”
Alternate Feature: March 2 – April 28, 2019
“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.
“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.
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
