Show Listings

Climate Change in Our Backyard

Run Length: 30 minutes. Appropriate Age: 12+

Description: As we develop a much larger picture about our Earth as a whole, we are coming to see it as a complex, interconnected, remarkable world, and one that humans have impacted directly. Explore the role of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, the natural temperature variations that the Earth has experienced over millions of years, and how humans are affecting our planet today. How are scientists learning about our changing climate, and what strategies are people from all across the world taking to protect our future?

Climate Change in Our Backyard illuminates the story of how and why our climate is changing. From the remote mountain shack in the Colorado Rockies, through ancient bubbles in Antarctic ice, and into our own homes.

Drifting North into the Polar NightDrifting North into the Polar Night

Run Length: 30 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.

Description: Step out onto an ice floe in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, and watch and listen as scientists race the fading light to set up one of the most ambitious international climate collaborations ever, MOSAiC. The Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate launched in September 2019. Led by the German Alfred Wegener Institute, the mission froze an icebreaker into the Central Arctic Ocean, to better understand the remote region and the role it plays in global climate and weather patterns.

Forward! To the MoonForward to the Moon

Run Length: 30 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.

Description: Kari Byron from Crash Test World andMythBusters launches us on a journey beyond the Earth towards a sustainable future in space.

NASA’s 21st century Artemis program, named after the Greek moon Goddess and twin of Apollo, is the next step in our mission to explore the universe and land the first woman and person of color on the surface of the Moon. Produced by Fiske Planetarium in collaboration with TEND Studio.

From Earth to the Universe

Run Length: 30 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages. From Earth to the Universe

Description: Directed by the young Greek filmmaker Theofanis N. Matsopoulos, and featuring a sweeping soundtrack from Norwegian composer Johan B. Monell, viewers can revel in the splendour of the various worlds in the Solar System and the ferocity of the scorching Sun. From Earth to the Universe then leaves our home to take the audience out to the colourful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars, and still further out, beyond the Milky Way, to the unimaginable immensity of myriads of galaxies. Along the way, the audience will learn about the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope, and today’s giant telescopes that allow us to probe ever deeper into the Universe.

The Hot and Energetic Universe

Run Length: 30 minutes. Appropriate Age: AdultsThe Hot and Energetic Universe

Description: A 360° film describing the achievements of modern astronomy; the variety of modern terrestrial and orbital observatories; the basic principles of electromagnetic radiation and the natural phenomena investigated by high-energy astrophysics. High-energy astrophysics plays a key role in understanding the Universe and its hot and violent nature.

IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System

IBEX

Run Length: 30 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.

Description: Follow two curious teenagers as they learn about the IBEX mission to explore the Galaxy. This show presents an inside look at a recent NASA mission as an amazing spacecraft reveals the frontier of our Solar System.

Ice Worlds

Ice Worlds

Run Length: 23 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.

Description: Witness the role that frozen water plays on Earth and other worlds of our Solar System. The history of Earth's ice and the impact of the changing climate are displayed in eye-catching visuals, such as Antarctica without its icy blanket and New York under the Ice Age glaciers.

Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowldge

Run Length: 25 minutes. Appropriate Age: All agesLiving in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge

Description: The program presents traditional Anishinaabe stories and contemporary insights of how star knowledge reveals the impacts of climate change and how it has affected the environment as a result. The presentation explains why the correlation is out of alignment between the Maple Sugar Moon and the running of maple sap. The program was created to provide indigenous elementary and middle school students with a representation of their culture in their STEM program with an emphasis on science and to advance respect for indigenous knowledge systems among students throughout Michigan.

Magic GlobeMagic Globe show posterMagic Globe show poster

Run Length: 38 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages, especially good for 5-12.

Description: The show receives magnificent reviews from planetarians and audiences for its story, visuals, and educational content. On vacation at her grandpa’s, a little girl Mia accidentally discovers a mysterious piece of astronomical machinery. Edek, Mia’s eccentric uncle, tricks the girl into using the tool’s secret powers to change the world’s seasons. She quickly realizes the consequences of what they are going to do, but Edek doesn’t want to let the plan go.

Magic Globe is an engaging story designed to interest and challenge children from 5 to 12 years old. It has a clear educational structure with all science-related topics broken down into manageable chunks and naturally woven into the storyline. It allows children to recap knowledge they already have as well as learn multiple new concepts while following the story, which makes it perfect for mixed-ability audiences. Science topics covered include: rotating earth, seasonal changes and what causes them, axial tilt, etc.

Max Goes to the MoonMax Goes to the Moon

Run Length: 30 minutes. Appropriate Age: Best for ages 4-12 (However, if you like dogs all ages will enjoy this show!)

Description: Max (the dog) and a young girl named Tori take the first trip to the Moon since the Apollo era. Along the way, the story sets the stage for the more sophisticated science of the “Big Kid Box” sidebars, which cover topics including “Phases of the Moon,” “Wings in Space?,” and “Frisbees and Curve Balls on the Moon” — all thoughtfully explained so that grownups and children can learn together about science. Toward the end, Max and Tori’s trip proves so inspiring to people back on Earth that all the nations of the world come together to build a great Moon colony from which “the beautiful views of Earth from the Moon made everyone realize that we all share a small and precious planet.”

New Horizons

New Horizons

Run Length: 22 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.

Description: Explore planets and moons in a journey through our celestial neighborhood! On this tour of the Solar System, each planet is visited and described along with the major moons of the planets. A comet and the Sun are also visited. The end of the show portrays the birth of the Solar System.

Our Solar System

Our Solar System

Run Length: 13 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages, tailored to Grade K-2 students.

Description: The ancient names of the planets are explored in this short show for younger audiences. Filled with amazing sights and music, this show visits each of the planets and tells their stories.

Secrets of the Sun

Run Length: 22 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.Secrets of the Sun

Description: Learn about the life cycle of the Sun and its connection to Earth. Based on ground-based and satellite images and data, this show portrays the internal structure and outer atmosphere of the Sun, its connection to planet Earth, and the life & death of the Sun are revealed in all their glory.

Sesame Street: One World, One Sky

Run Length: 27 minutes. Appropriate Age: 8 and youngerOne World, One Sky show poster

Description: Explore the night sky with Big Bird, Elmo, and a friend from China named Hu Hu Zhu! In this planetarium show featuring beloved characters from Sesame Street, you'll learn about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun and the Moon. It's the perfect introduction to space for our youngest astronomers!

Stars of the Pharaohs

Star of the Pharaohs

Run Length: 35 minutes. Appropriate Age: middle school and up.

Description: Learn how the astronomy and religion of ancient Egypt were connected. The creation myth, the pharaoh burial rites, and connections with the sky are described. Stunning computer recreations of Egyptian temples and pyramids are portrayed and their art is explained as it relates to the night sky.

The Sun, Our Living Star

The Sun, Our Living Star

Run Length: 24 minutes. Appropriate Age: middle school and up.

Description: The Sun has shone on our world for four and a half billion years. The light that warms our skin today has been felt by every person who has ever lived. Discover the secrets of our star in this planetarium show and experience never-before-seen images of the Sun’s violent surface in immersive fulldome format.

Tour the Universe with Pink Floyd

Tour the Universe

Run Length: 25 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.

Description: This immersive show sets the Universe in motion with the music of Pink Floyd's iconic album "Dark Side of the Moon." See amazing features of the night sky and visit the edge of the visible Universe in style. This music video was developed by students and faculty at Mesa Community College.

Two Small Pieces of Glass

Two Small Pieces of Glass

Run Length: 25 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.

Description: Learn about the telescope, from its earliest days as a curious invention to the modern giant observatories. Why do astronomers use telescopes? How does light tell us about distant planets, stars, and galaxies? Come and see the Universe in a whole new way.

Universe

Universe

Run Length: 22 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.

Description: Visit the planets of the Solar System, objects in the distant Universe, and learn how they are explored. The show discusses the advance of science as a way to learn about the natural world, describes astronomical satellites, and highlights objects throughout the Universe.

Wonders of the Universe

Wonders of the Universe

Run Length: 23 minutes. Appropriate Age: all ages.

Description: Travel 14 billion years from the birth of the Universe to our home planet. Along the way visit galaxies near and far and see the Milky Way from the outside. On the way home visit huge clouds forming stars before your eyes, witness the cataclysm of star death, and enjoy the parade of planets as you sweep into the Solar System.