THE PLANETARIUM

The Sanford Museum is excited for our new SciDome Theater. Our new Spitz SciDome IQ 2400 projector has replaced our 1951 Spitz A-1 projector. 

Check out the trailer below for a preview of the things you might see in one of our programs.

We offer public programs every Sunday and Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. as well as programs for groups and schools during the week by reservation.  

We can now offer programs in three different subject areas:     

Astronomy: You may have done the night sky programs with us before, but with our new starry program your experience will be spectacular! We will be able to explore constellations, planets, galaxies and so much more!   

Layered Earth: This program gives us the ability to explore many different aspects of our planet. The rocks that form the Earth, land formations, sea floors, plate tectonics are just a few of the many layers we can navigate through.  

 Human Anatomy: Travel through and around the human body. With the 3D simulations we will be able to look at the many complicated systems of our bodies. For example, we can explore the skeletal, muscular and nervous system of the human body or perhaps just look at one isolated organ or bone.     

Each month the public planetarium programs will be centered around a theme. Public shows will be held every Sunday and Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. 

Junior Star Gazers

You have asked, and we are going to deliver: starting February 13th, we will have planetarium programs specifically designed for children ages 6 and under.

These programs will occur once a month, on the second Wednesday of each month at 3:00 p.m. (before the regular 4 p.m. program). They last 15 minutes and the theme will be about all of the magnificent objects we see in the sky. Parents or Guardians must be in attendance with their star gazers.

Planetarium Shows for 2019 are:

January: “To Eat the Sun: Eclipses”

People have been fascinated with eclipses for thousands of years. Learn about the Mayan eclipse beliefs and then fly out into space to better understand how solar and lunar eclipses happen.

February:  “The Heart of the Matter: A Human Body Program”

Take a look at the major systems of the human body one at a time. We will fly into organs, learn about the muscles and bones that keep us moving, and experience the path of blood through our veins and arteries. 

March: “Reasons for the Seasons”

Did you know that the earth is closest to the sun during winter in the northern hemisphere? Then why is it so cold!? During the month of the spring solstice, stop in to learn about the tilt of the earth and why it creates such unique seasons around the world!

April: “Starlight”

Join our narrator, Margaret, as she takes you on an out-of-this-world journey to discover constellations and ancient cultures, the births and deaths of stars, and the innermost workings of our Sun. 

May: “Molecularium”

Explore billions and trillions of atoms and molecules with Oxy, a precocious oxygen atom, and Hydro and Hydra, her wacky hydrogen pals. Ride from the atomic structure of a snowflake to the far reaches of space aboard the Molecularium, the most fantastic ship in the Universe.

June: “Summer Night Skies”

Fly out into space to learn about our place in the universe and then land back on earth to see what constellations and planets you can find in the summer night sky.

July: “The Eagle has Landed”

The historic Apollo lunar landing on July 20, 1969 paved the way for future space exploration and shows us anything is possible. We will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission by exploring the moon and the technology it took to get there!

August: “Meteor Mania”

Even if you miss the Perseid meteor show outdoors this month, the planetarium will be showing them every Wednesday and Sunday! We’ll also investigate why meteors happen and other flying space objects, like comets!

September: “Boom, Clang, Swish: The Dynamic Earth” 

The ground under our feet might feel firm, but the earth is always shaking, and sliding, and moving. This month we’ll peel back the layers of the earth to understand plate tectonics, earthquakes, and more!

October: “The Red Planet”

Mars is our solar system neighbor, and yet, it is still so mysterious. This month, we will travel to mars, land on the surface, and learn the basics of the red planet. We will also talk about recent discoveries and the possibility of future habitation. 

November: “Wonders of the World” 

Explore the wonders of earth including the Great Wall of China, the pyramids of Egypt, the Grand Canyon and more!

December: “Life at the North Pole

Celebrate the holiday season, by learning about life at the North Pole. We’ll see how the movement of constellations, sun, and moon differ from what we see at our latitude.

Our public planetarium shows are held every Sunday and Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.  

Planetarium shows can also be reserved by appointment for groups of 10 or more, on weekdays.