Once a month, on the first Saturday, a special sky show for little ones up to two years will be shown at 10:30 am, instead of the regularly-scheduled family Planetarium program. Have fun with the Sun, marvel at the Moon, find your favorite star, become friends with the night sky!

Cosmic Collisions launches visitors on a thrilling trip through space and time—well beyond the calm face of the night sky—to explore cosmic collisions, hypersonic impacts that drive the dynamic and continuing evolution of the universe. Groundbreaking scientific simulations and visualizations based on cutting-edge research developed by Museum astrophysicists, scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and other international colleagues—many seen for the first time—depict the dramatic and explosive encounters that shaped our solar system, changed the course of life on Earth, and continue to transform our galaxy. The new show explores the full range of space collisions, past, present, and future.

What we can see through our telescopes is an insignificant portion of our Universe. Most of the energy and matter is quite literally invisible. How do we know it's there, and what does it hold for the future Universe?

January and February are the final great viewing opportunities for Jupiter this year. How many cloud bands can we count?

Follow Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. One World, One Sky is a brilliant spectacle of light and color as the furry friends watch the stars twinkle over Sesame Street. Children attending the show can interact as they watch, drawing constellations and counting the time it takes the sun to set. The show aims to nurture a child's natural sense of wonder about the night sky.

The Feb 4, 2012 "Star Babies" showing is sold out. Star Babies gives children 4 and younger a gentle, 15-minute introduction to the planetarium and the wonders of the night sky.

Space is big... really big! Let's leave the Earth, and then the solar system, and travel to the farthest reaches of our galaxy. Then say goodbye to the Milky Way and see what's out beyond.

On President's Day, enjoy a program in the Shafran Planetarium!
At 1 pm, an astronomer will present Universe Tour, and The Dark Universe will be presented at 2 pm. One World, One Sky will be shown at 11 am and 3 pm, and Cosmic Collisions will be shown at noon and 4 pm.

Cosmic Collisions launches visitors on a thrilling trip through space and time—well beyond the calm face of the night sky—to explore cosmic collisions, hypersonic impacts that drive the dynamic and continuing evolution of the universe. Groundbreaking scientific simulations and visualizations based on cutting-edge research developed by Museum astrophysicists, scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and other international colleagues—many seen for the first time—depict the dramatic and explosive encounters that shaped our solar system, changed the course of life on Earth, and continue to transform our galaxy. The new show explores the full range of space collisions, past, present, and future.

Follow Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. One World, One Sky is a brilliant spectacle of light and color as the furry friends watch the stars twinkle over Sesame Street. Children attending the show can interact as they watch, drawing constellations and counting the time it takes the sun to set. The show aims to nurture a child's natural sense of wonder about the night sky.

On March 3 and April 7, "Star Babies" will be offered at 10:30am. Star Babies gives children 4 and younger a gentle, 15-minute introduction to the planetarium and the wonders of the night sky.

Any clear night, you can witness the wonder of flying horses, swooping dragons, cranky centaurs, and prancing unicorns. Just avoid eye contact with the Medusa, and don't step on the Hydra's tail (or heads).

After visiting the Mythic Creatures exhibit in Kahn Hall, come to the planetarium and view the matching constellations among the stars. What exotic astronomical wonders lie in the hearts of these beasts?

Saturn finally emerges in the evening sky in mid-March. Most observers agree that it is the most beautiful object in any telescope.

Learn more about the nature of your Universe and celebrate National Astronomy Day. Attendees can participate in hands-on activities, view demonstrations, catch shows in the Shafran Planetarium and tour the Ralph Mueller Observatory. Local astronomy clubs will be available to share the wonders of the night sky.