List Of Planetariums and Public Observatories By State - Your Planetarium (2024)

The Magic of Planetariums

Planetariums captivate audiences with their wondrous depictions of the cosmos, transporting visitors on a mesmerizing journey through the stars. As soon as the lights dim, the planetarium’s state-of-the-art projection technology transforms the dome into a window to the universe. The immersive environment creates a sense of awe and wonder, making it an unforgettable experience for people of all ages.

One of the reasons planetariums are so engaging is that they provide a unique perspective of the night sky, one that is difficult to replicate in any other setting. Through live presentations or pre-recorded shows, expert educators and astronomers bring the cosmos to life by narrating the journey, pointing out celestial objects, and sharing fascinating stories about the history, mythology, and science behind the stars.

Interactive exhibits often accompany planetarium shows, encouraging visitors to delve deeper into the mysteries of the universe. From exploring the surface of Mars to learning about the life cycle of a star, these exhibits provide hands-on learning opportunities that stimulate curiosity and foster a greater understanding of the cosmos.

Further, planetariums offer a sense of community, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds who share a common interest in the night sky. Special events, such as meteor showers or eclipses, are often celebrated at planetariums, turning these celestial occurrences into memorable, shared experiences.

Planetariums provide an unparalleled, immersive experience that allows visitors to explore the wonders of the universe in a captivating and engaging way. Their educational programs and interactive exhibits inspire curiosity and foster a greater understanding of the cosmos, making planetariums an essential destination for anyone seeking to connect with the mysteries of the night sky.

Planetariums in Alaska

Marie Drake Planetarium, Juneau
Thomas Planetarium at the Anchorage Museum, Anchorage University of Alaska Planetarium & Visualization Theater, Anchorage

Planetariums in Arizona

Dorrance Planetarium at the Arizona Science Center, Phoenix
Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium at the University of Arizona, Tucson
Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium Planetarium at Mesa Community College The Star Barn, Cave Creek, Arizona

Planetariums in Arkansas

EpiSphere at the Aerospace Education Center, Little Rock

Planetariums in California

Charles F. Hager Planetarium at San Francisco State University, San Francisco
Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland College of San Mateo, San Mateo
The Discovery Museum, Science and Space Center, Sacramento
Fujitsu Planetarium at De Anza College, Cupertino
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
Holt Planetarium, Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley
Morrison Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Palomar College Planetarium, San Marcos
Planetarium Projector and Science Museum, a museum of planeteria at Big Bear Lake Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, San Jose, a purpose-built planetarium rendered in an Ancient Egyptian architectural style
San Diego City College Planetarium, San Diego
Schreder Planetarium, Redding
Tessmann Planetarium at Santa Ana College, Santa Ana
William Luebke Planetarium, at Modesto Junior College West Campus Science Community Center, Modesto

Planetariums in Colorado

Fiske Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder Gates Planetarium at Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver
United States Air Force Academy Planetarium at United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs

Planetariums in Connecticut

The Children’s Museum, West Hartford
The Discovery Museum, Bridgeport
Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium at Yale University, New Haven
Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport, Mystic

Planetariums in District of Columbia

Albert Einstein Planetarium, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution Rock Creek Park Planetarium, Rock Creek Park Nature Center

Planetariums in Florida

Bishop Planetarium at Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Bradenton
Bryan-Gooding Planetarium in the Alexander Brest Science Theatre at the Museum of Science and History, Jacksonville
Buehler Planetarium and Observatory, Davie
Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Fort Myers
The Challenger Learning Center, Tallahassee
Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College, Gainesville
Frost Planetarium at Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Miami
Seminole State College Planetarium at Seminole State College of Florida, Sanford

Planetariums in Georgia

Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium at the Fernbank Science Center, Atlanta
Mark Smith Planetarium at the Museum of Arts and Sciences, Macon
Omnisphere Theater, Coca-Cola Challenger Space Science Center, Columbus State University, Columbus
Rollins Planetarium at Young Harris College, Young Harris
Tellus Planetarium at Tellus: Northwest Georgia Science Museum, Cartersville Wetherbee Planetarium at Thronateeska Heritage Center, Albany

Planetariums in Hawaii

Hokulani Imaginarium, Windward Community College, Kane‘ohe, Hawai‘i
Imiloa Astronomy Center, Hilo
Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium at the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu

Planetariums in Idaho

Capital High School, Boise

Planetariums in Illinois

Adler Planetarium, Chicago
Cernan Earth and Space Center, Triton College, River Grove
Discovery Center Museum, Rockford
Illinois State University Planetarium, Normal
Lakeview Museum planetarium, Peoria (closed 2012)
Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria
Staerkel Planetarium, Parkland College, Champaign
Strickler Planetarium at Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais
Waubonsie Valley High School planetarium, Aurora

Planetariums in Indiana

Ball State University, Muncie Bellmont High School, Decatur
Carmel High School, Hamilton
Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium at Butler University, Indianapolis
Kennedy Academy, South Bend, St. Joseph County
Koch Planetarium, Evansville Marion High School, Marion
Northrop High School, Fort Wayne
Pike High School, Indianapolis
Beyond Spaceship Earth at Indianapolis Children’s Museum, Indianapolis
Clifford Pierce Middle School, Merrillville

Planetariums in Iowa

Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf
Sanford Museum and Planetarium, Cherokee

Planetariums in Kansas

Justice Planetarium at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, Hutchinson
Peterson Planetarium at Emporia State University

Planetariums in Kentucky

Gheen’s Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium at the University of Louisville, Louisville Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory, Golden Pond
Hardin Planetarium at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green
Hummel Planetarium at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond
Star Theater, at Morehead State University, Morehead

Planetariums in Louisiana

Dayna & Ronald L. Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium, Shreveport
Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, Baton Rouge
Nature Center at Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans

Planetariums in Maine

Francis Malcolm Science Center Planetarium, Easton, 776 Houlton Road
Ladd Planetarium at Bates College, Lewiston, 44 Campus Avenue
Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium at the University of Maine, Orono
Southworth Planetarium at University of Southern Maine – Portland campus, located at 70 Falmouth Street

Planetariums in Maryland

Arthur Storer Planetarium, Prince Frederick, named after the first astronomer in the American colonies and the original namesake of Halley’s Comet
Davis Planetarium at the Maryland Science Center, Baltimore
James E. Richmond Science Center and Planetarium, Charles County Public Schools, Waldorf
Watson-King Planetarium at Towson University William Brish Planetarium,Towson

Planetariums in Massachusetts

Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science, Boston
Framingham State College Planetarium, Framingham
George Alden Planetarium at the Ecotarium, Worcester
Mugar Omni Theater/Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science, Boston
Seymour Planetarium at the Springfield Science Museum, Springfield

Planetariums in Michigan

Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, East Lansing
Alpha Ursa Majoris at Oakland University, Rochester
Carr-Fles Planetarium at Muskegon Community College, Muskegon
Dassault Systèmes Planetarium at the Michigan Science Center, Detroit
Delta College Planetarium and Learning Center, Bay City
Shiras Planetarium at Marquette Senior High School, Marquette

Planetariums in Minnesota

Como Planetarium at Como Park Elementary School, St. Paul
Mayo High School Planetarium, Rochester
University of Minnesota – Duluth Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium, Duluth

Planetariums in Mississippi

Crosby Planetarium, Picayune Russell C. Davis Planetarium, Jackson

Planetariums in Missouri

Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station, Kansas City James S. McDonnell Planetarium at the Saint Louis Science Center, St. Louis The Jordan Valley Park Planetarium, Springfield

Planetariums in Montana

Taylor Planetarium at the Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman

Planetariums in Nebraska

Mallory Kountze Planetarium at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha Ralph Mueller Planetarium at the University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln

Planetariums in Nevada

Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno

Planetariums in New Hampshire

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord

Planetariums in New Jersey

Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium at the Newark Museum, Newark Longo Planetarium at County College of Morris, Randolph Robert J. Novins Planetarium at Ocean County College, Toms River

Planetariums in New Mexico

Falcon Planetarium at Highlands High School, Albuquerque New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo Planetarium at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces

Planetariums in New York

Adler Space Hall and Planetarium at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City
Buehler Space & Astronomy Center at Bergen Community College, Paramus
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, New York City
Hudson River Museum Planetarium, Yonkers
Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology, Syracuse
Strasenburgh Planetarium at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, Rochester Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium at Buffalo State College, Buffalo

Planetariums in North Carolina

Givens Performing Arts Center at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke
James H. Lynn Planetarium and Science Theater at the Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Robeson Planetarium and Science Center, Lumberton
Zeiss Planetarium at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh

Planetariums in North Dakota

Alfred G. Arvold Planetarium at North Dakota State University, Fargo Gateway to Science Center, Bismarck

Planetariums in Ohio

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Ritter Planetarium at the University of Toledo, Toledo Ward Beecher Planetarium at Youngstown State University, Youngstown

Planetariums in Oklahoma

Kirkpatrick Planetarium at Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma City

Planetariums in Oregon

Chemeketa Community College Planetarium, Salem Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland Worthy Planetarium at the Pine Mountain Observatory, Bend

Planetariums in Pennsylvania

Bradford Planetarium at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Bradford
Clark Planetarium at the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Planetarium, Edinboro
Fels Planetarium at The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
Frost Planetarium at the California University of Pennsylvania, California
Grice Clearfield Community Planetarium, Clearfield
Joseph A. Walker Planetarium at Central York High School, York
Muhlenberg College Planetarium, Allentown
North Museum of Nature and Science, Lancaster
Oakes Museum of Natural and Cultural History at Messiah College, Mechanicsburg Planetarium at the Reading Public Museum, Reading
Scranton High School Planetarium, Scranton
Suits-Bueche Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum, Schenectady
The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, Pittsburgh
The Planetarium at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Widener University Observatory and Planetarium, Chester
York College of Pennsylvania Planetarium, York

Planetariums in Rhode Island

Moses Brown School Planetarium, Providence
Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Providence

Planetariums in South Carolina

DuPont Planetarium at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, Aiken
Roper Mountain Science Center, Greenville
South Carolina State Museum, Columbia

Planetariums in South Dakota

Kirkwood Mall Planetarium, Bismarck
South Dakota Discovery Center and Aquarium, Pierre
The Journey Museum and Learning Center, Rapid City

Planetariums in Tennessee

Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium, Kingsport
Clarence Brown Planetarium at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville
East Tennessee State University Planetarium, Johnson City
Memphis Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium, Memphis
Sudekum Planetarium at the Adventure Science Center, Nashville
University of Tennessee Planetarium, Knoxville

Planetariums in Texas

Arlington ISD Planetarium, Arlington
Burke Baker Planetarium at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston
Central Texas College Mayborn Science Theater, Killeen
Charles W. Stenholm Planetarium, Abilene
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Fort Worth
Galaxy Theater at the Space Center Houston, Houston
Gene Roddenberry Planetarium, El Paso
Hoblit Planetarium, Corsicana
Lunar Planetary Institute, Houston
Mayborn Science Theater, Killeen
Museum of the Southwest Planetarium, Midland
Nobel Planetarium at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Fort Worth
Oscar Frazier Whitehead Memorial Planetarium, Alpine
Scobee Planetarium at San Antonio College, San Antonio
Texas A&M University Planetarium, College Station
Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi
University of Texas at Arlington Planetarium, Arlington
Wichita Falls ISD Planetarium, Wichita Falls

Planetariums in Utah

Clark Planetarium, Salt Lake City
Ott Planetarium at Weber State University, Ogden

Planetariums in Vermont

Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, St. Johnsbury

Planetariums in Virginia

Abbitt Planetarium at the Virginia Living Museum, Newport News
David M. Brown Planetarium, Arlington
Fralin Planetarium at Roanoke College, Salem
James Madison University Planetarium, Harrisonburg
Longway Planetarium, Portsmouth
Old Dominion University Planetarium, Norfolk
Science Museum of Western Virginia, Roanoke
Virginia Air and Space Center, Hampton
William & Mary Planetarium, Williamsburg

Planetariums in Washington

Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood
Pacific Planetarium, Bremerton
Pacific Science Center, Seattle
Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane
Walla Walla University, College Place

Planetariums in West Virginia

Benedum Planetarium, Clarksburg
Good Hope Observatory, Clarksburg
Marshall University Planetarium, Huntington
Wheeling University, Wheeling

Planetariums in Wisconsin

Barlow Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, Menasha
Daniel M. Soref Planetarium at the Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee
Manfred Olson Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee
Retzer Nature Center, Waukesha
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison

Planetariums in Wyoming

Casper Planetarium, Casper
University of Wyoming Planetarium, Laramie