We will be closed for shows in the month of August. We'll be back for public shows
on September 18th!
What to Expect
Public shows typically run for an hour and include the scheduled show and a guided
tour of the evening sky. Please note that once a show begins, the planetarium doors are locked and there will be no late
admittance. This is for the safety and comfort of our visitors. Please be sure to
arrive before the stated start time of your show.
Museums For All - Free! (with valid EBT, medicaid, or WIC card, as well as photo ID)
Season Schedule (Fall 2026 - Summer 2027)
The Abrams Planetarium public show schedule for Fall 2026 through Summer 2027. Each
show is approximately 60 minutes long; a 30 minute recorded portion followed by a
30 minute live presentation of the current evening sky.
Big Astronomy
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
It takes many people with diverse backgrounds, talents, and skills to run a world-class
observatory. Meet a few of these people as they share the wonder of the sky--and the
excitement of discovery. Explore the world-class observatories nestled in northern
Chile’s mountains and learn why Chile, is an ideal environment for studying the cosmos.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Beyond the Sun
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
While going to sleep, Celeste is visited by a friendly particle of light called Moon.
Together, they travel beyond the Sun in search of new worlds and enjoy the delights
and mysteries of exoplanet hunting. Find out how to detect exoplanets with Celeste
and Moon and learn about all the different types of worlds including rogue planets,
oceanic worlds and super-Earths. Even more, learn about real-life exoplanet hunters
who observe the sky and search for other planets that are like Earth.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Living in Balance
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge highlights Anishinaabe stories of constellations
and moons in relation to contemporary insights about environmental changes. Teachings
shared by Native Skywatchers Carl Gawboy, William Wilson, and Dr. Annette S. Lee are
narrated by Aarin Dokum with Anishinaabemowin translations by Alphonse Pitawanakwat
set to art by Elizabeth LaPensée.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Bad Astronomy
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Were the Apollo visits to the Moon actually a hoax? Have aliens landed on Earth? Can
you tell your future by the stars? Prepare to debunk and tackle pseudoscience head-on
with this planetarium show. Based on the popular book and website of the same name,
this show offers a unique and fun approach to learning about the cosmos. Join the
"Bad Astronomer" Phil Plait as he takes a critical look at popular myths and misconceptions
to show audiences how science can be used to evaluate questionable claims.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Season of Light
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
Many of the familiar customs that we observe this time of year have an astronomical
connection. Our holiday offering explores the traditions that we associate with this
special season.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Christmas Constellations
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
When we look at the stars, we can play a giant game of dot-to-dot. We can use our
imaginations to come up with amazing things from basic shapes to mythical creatures
to our favorite animals. In this show, we will use our imaginations for a search through
the stars for holiday themed shapes in the sky. This show is suitable for preschoolers,
young elementary aged children, and their families.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Seasons and the Moon
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
Listen to stories of the stars told by Native American Master Storytellers. In this
show, you will hear two stories. "Spring Defeats Winter" retold by Joseph Bruchac
(Abenaki) and "The Girl Who Married the Moon" retold by Gayle Ross (Cherokee).
Additional fees apply for online orders.
The Little Star That Could
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
The story about an average yellow star on a search for planets of his own to warm
and protect. Along his way, he encounters other stars, learns what makes each star
special, and discovers that stars can combine to form clusters and galaxies. Eventually,
Little Star finds his planets, and each is introduced to audiences along with basic
information about the Solar System.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Skywatchers of Africa
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
For thousands of years, Africans have used their knowledge of the sky to build their
societies, shape their spiritual lives, and meet their physical needs for survival.
Skywatchers of Africa highlights the diversity of African astronomy, examines cultural
uses of the sky that developed throughout history, and celebrates our shared human
experience.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
One World, One Sky
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
You don't need a spaceship to learn about the sun, moon, and stars-just a little imagination!
When Big Bird, Elmo, and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, take an imaginary trip
to the moon, they learn amazing things along the way.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Imagine the Moon
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
Explore how the Moon has inspired human creativity, learning, and exploration ever
since we have looked to the sky. Each discovery has brought new opportunities to contemplate
and imagine, until, driven by dreams, we left Earth and went there in the amazing
journeys that culminated in astronauts walking on the Moon. People have imagined the
Moon as a glowing disk in the sky, a destination in space, and a world that shares
its origin with the Earth. The power of human imagination continues to inspire our
relationship with the Moon as our partner in space and companion in our sky.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
The Great Solar System Adventure
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Join showman extraordinaire “The Great Schiaparelli” as he takes the audience on a
death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium. From the sun-scorched
surface of Mercury to the icy expanses of Pluto and beyond, prepare to be subjected
to the myriad dangers and wonders of our Solar System, on a breathtaking tour that
reveals just how precious our home planet really is. Be warned though, the Observatorium
isn’t just for show. It will transport the audience right to the heart of some of
the deadliest locations in our slice of the heavens. It’s going to take some fancy
flying to get everyone back in one piece!
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Unveiling the Invisible Universe
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
For thousands of years humans observed the light coming from the night sky with their
eyes. In the beginning of the 17th century, the invention of the telescope by Galileo
revolutionized our knowledge of the Universe. Finally, in the 20th century with the
advent of rockets, it became possible to go above the earth's atmosphere and observe
X-ray and gamma ray radiation which are the marks of the hot and violent Universe.
But it is not only light that can give us information about the cosmos. Neutrinos
and cosmic rays also provide vital information. Finally, the detection by the LIGO
experiment of gravitational waves from two merging black holes opened a new window
in astrophysics. This show presents images of the cosmos as revealed by all these
different messengers.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Two Small Pieces of Glass
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Learn how the telescope has helped us understand our place in space and continue to
expand our understanding of the Universe. Explore the history of the telescope and
the discoveries these wonderful tools have made. See how telescopes work and how the
largest observatories in the world use them. View the Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings,
and spiral structure of galaxies. Learn about the discoveries of Galileo, Huygens,
Newton, Hubble, and others.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Wayfinders
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
This full-dome program puts you on the deck of the voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa as you
explore the nearly lost art and science of non-instrument navigation in Hawaiʻi and
the Pacific. Produced by Bishop Museum in collaboration with Polynesian Voyaging Society
and 1001 Stories.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
We Are Stars
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
What are we made of? Where did it all come from? Explore the secrets of our cosmic
chemistry, and our explosive origins. Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the
Universe by following the formation of Hydrogen atoms to the synthesis of Carbon,
and the molecules for life. Narrated by Andy Serkis.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Messengers of Time and Space
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
This planetarium show highlights how Gemini will work together with observatories
that monitor the night sky for exciting astronomical events that change with time,
like Rubin Observatory. Sometimes, light is not the only indicator of these short-term
events. Audiences will learn how information can reach us through other messengers
like cosmic rays, elusive particles called neutrinos, and even gravitational waves
rippling through the Universe.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
In My Backyard
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Join children's entertainer Fred Penner as he explores things large and small, from
the colors of the rainbow, to the reasons for the seasons. Through the use of entertaining
songs and immersive environments, children are encouraged to participate while learning
about the planets, constellations, meteors, the moon and more.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Mayan Archaeoastronomy
Feature Show
Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
In a feast of colors and sounds, this show takes a tour of 6 Mayan temples: San Gervasio,
Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná, Palenque and Bonampak where the spectator dives into a
Mayan world of knowledge about the importance of the orientations of its temples in
relation to the movement of some stars like the Sun, the Moon and Venus.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
The Stellars
Family Show
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Introducing THE STELLARS, a show designed with the youngest audiences in mind. The
show weaves important educational themes into a character-driven story. It is the
perfect blend of fun and learning, carefully crafted to spark the imagination and
curiosity of young kids. The characters even break the “fourth wall” several times
to directly engage with the audience about their ideas. The educational content of
the show explores the essentials necessary for plant growth, the diversity of Earth's
ecosystems, and the critical role of forests as habitats. It underscores our bond
with nature and our role in preserving it, along with the importance of the scientific
method in understanding our world.
Additional fees apply for online orders.
Parking
Available parking is dependent on the time of your visit:
Cars on Weekends or Weekdays after 6 p.m.
The lot directly across the street from the planetarium, Lot 41, is free and available
to park. This lot is not available to park in weekdays before 6pm.
Cars on Weekdays before 6 p.m.
The closest spot to park cars on weekdays is the ramp behind the planetarium, Lot
51. Use the entrances on North or South Shaw lane farther from the planetarium/closer
to the Law school to access the basement floors. These spots are metered. You can
pay, using your license plate number, on the MSU Spot On app or at the kiosks. If
those are full, Lot 39 or the Wharton Center, Lot 19, are the next closest lots.
For more information about Pay by Plate, please visit the MSU Parking Services website.
Virtual Tour
Visit - Learn - Discover MSU
Michigan State University is full of exciting places for your group to visit, learn,
and discover. Now you can find many of them in one spot, where over a dozen destinations are just waiting to be explored. Rediscover a favorite
or try something new !
