Planetarium

Shows at 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m, and 3:00 p.m.

Accessible

Planetarium Pilots: Included with Admission; Shows: $4 + Admission

Planetarium: Located in the center of the building. From the Lobby walk past the Discovery Store and the Young Explorers Area to arrive at the Planetarium.

Explore the solar system and beyond in our Planetarium! Join us for our live interactive shows for guided exploration of topics like constellations, missions to other planets, and more. Or drop in between shows for Planetarium Pilots, a self-guided experience where you control the dome and choose where to explore! Appropriate for all ages! (Some small children may not yet be confident about sitting in a very dark space.)

Closed July 4

Planetarium Shows

Traditions of the Autumn Sky – 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.

$4 + Admission

Learn how to find your way around the sky! This interactive show gives you a preview of tonight’s actual Bay Area skies. You’ll discover the Sun, Moon, stars, planets, and the Galaxy. We’ll explore traditions about celestial objects from many different cultures. Get ready for a constellation of fun!

Mars

Mission to the Red Planet – 1 p.m.

$4 + Admission

Mars, our neighboring planet, is both a familiar and alien world that has intrigued us for eons. Join us for an exploration of its landscape, history, and mysteries that today’s scientists are trying to solve. We’ll review the history of global missions to Mars – landers, flybys, orbiters and rovers…and learn how to locate Mars in our own night sky.

Ursa Major constellation

Imagine the Sky Tonight – 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.

Learn how to find constellations in the night sky! This interactive show gives you a preview of tonight’s actual Bay Area skies, and what you’ll find where. What stories do the stars tell us and how do they look different around the galaxy? Blast off with us!

The surface of the ocean

Coming Soon: Diving Into the Blue Planet

Over 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by water. Join us on an exploration of our planet’s ocean. This interactive program will showcase our current understandings of the ocean and the deepest mysteries of our blue planet.

Planetarium Pilots

The Milky Way

Planetarium Pilots

Included with Admission

Go on a self-guided tour of the universe in this all-new Planetarium experience! Drop in between Planetarium shows to control the dome and choose which planets, moons, and more to explore. Learn all about space from Planetarium voice overs as you fly around the universe!

About The Planetarium

speech bubble icon

You’re Part of the Show

All of our programs are live and interactive, packed with exploration, activities, and questions.

Access + Comfort

  • 44-person capacity
  • Reclined-back seating
  • Wheelchair-accessible

Immersive Technology

This innovative audiovisual experience is brought to you by our uniquely-sourced components.

Our programming is active in 220+ planetariums worldwide

Thoughtfully crafted and developed by the Planetarium Activities for Student Success (PASS) project

space shuttle icon

The First of Its Kind

Built in 1973, ours was the very first participatory planetarium. Instead of a lecture-style experience, visitors are invited to engage and actively explore the cosmos.

Plan Your Visit

Admission

General

Age 3+: $20

Kids under 2: FREE

Members: FREE

Learn More >

3D Theater

$4 + Admission

Planetarium

$4 + Admission

See What’s Happening Today

calendar icon

Today’s Schedule >

Discover

Search the Sky

Videos brought to you by The Lawrence Planetarium at UC Berkeley, hosted by John Erickson, the Director of the Planetarium.

We are installing new state-of-the-art space visualization software and projectors in our planetarium. We will offer space shows once this is complete later in January. In the meantime, we are using the dome for a Biotech Adventure!