The Henry B. duPont III Planetarium at the Discovery Museum features a 10.1m domed ceiling, 121 seats, an array of slide and video projectors, a stereo surround sound system and at it’s heart the Spitz 512 Planetarium Projector. All of these systems combine to produce a unique experience.

The duPont Planetarium shows are informative and entertaining for a wide range of audiences. Each show involves a live 30 – 50 minute audiovisual feature that explores an astronomical topic from an angle that is occasionally humorous or quirky but always educational.

 

Wonderful Sky: (Pre-K - Grade 2)
A fantastic introduction to the Planetarium experience and the wonders of the night sky. We progress from our own backyard on a partly cloudy night, through a brief storm and on to a star filled sky. Visitors will explore groups of stars, or constellations forming pictures and continue on to a magical trip through the universe. (20 minutes)

Larry - Cat in Space: (Pre-K - Grade 2)
This gentle introduction to the planetarium is a light-hearted 30 minute cartoon adventure featuring Larry Cat. Larry learns all about the Moon during the show and positive reinforcement of sky watching is introduced to budding astronomers. (30 minutes)

The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket: (K - Grade 3)
Imaginatively introduces to children our solar system. Two boys with the help of a mysterious and magical rocket and the helpful book - The Student's Astronomy Guide, travel through the solar system, exploring planets they encounter. The audience will join them as they visit and learn about several planets, and the order in which they appear in reference to the sun.(35 minutes)

Sky Hunter: (Grades 1 - 5)
Stars and the stories they inspire are part of the fabric of everyday life in Native American culture. Discover how different native peoples marked important events, seasons and changes in the natural world by patterns observed in the night-time sky. (45 minutes)

One Small Step... (Grade 3 - Adult)
Follow the Apollo astronauts to the Moon as they venture across space to rendezvous and land, for the first time, on the surface of another world. From a mighty Saturn V launch to a tense landing, relive the accomplishment of humanity's greatest journey. (45 minutes)

Rock On Mars!: (Grade 3 - Adult)
Come take a 3D journey across the Martian landscape with the twin Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. Since January of 2004, our rovers have been our field geologists, traversing Mars, on the trail for evidence of a watery past. Learn how different Mars is from our own home planet the Earth and how you get a Martian rover across space and land it safely on the surface of Mars. Discover what we’ve learned in two Earth years on the dusty red surface of our neighbor planet. (45 minutes)

Hubble Vision II: (Grade 3 - Adult)
The Hubble Space Telescope provides an unprecedented window on the universe and has made astonishing discoveries - from nearby objects in the solar system to the most distant galaxies at the limits of the observable universe. Join us on a voyage that will take you from our home here in the solar system to the edge of the universe and the dawn of time itself as seen through the eyes of the most famous telescope in history. (40 minutes)

Ring World: (Grade 3 - Adult)
Stunning Saturn has been visited by the Cassini spacecraft. After its nearly seven year sojourn, the spacecraft will spend the next four years investigating the alluring planet, its many moons, and spectacular system of rings. The Cassini mission also includes a probe sent to land on Saturn's largest moon, Titan. Prepare yourself for exciting discoveries and new views of Saturn to come. (Visit the JPL Cassini site.) (35 minutes)

Following the Milky Way: (Grade 3 - Adult)
An exciting adventure through the change of seasons. We will investigate the changes in the heavens as our home planet earth orbits the sun. The show also explores the planets, meteors, comets, and the northern lights

PLANETARIUM SHOWS FEES:
Minimum Fee is $130 for up to 20 students,
add $6.50 per student up to a maximum of 110.

PLANETARIUM/ WORKSHOP PACKAGES

STAR SHAPES Pre K-K
Children watch the Star Shapes planetarium show then move to a workshop where they create their own shapes, patterns, spirals and constellations. A visit to the hands on exhibits is included with this program. 90 minutes. (15 mini ute show / 75 minute workshop)

FEES:
$120 minimum fee for up to 12 students,
add $10 per student up to a maximum of 25

HANDS-ON UNIVERSE Grades 1-6
Combine any planetarium show with any 75 minute workshop. Give your students a real hands-on astronomy experience! Not sure what to pair? Call us at (203) 372-3521 ext. 121, or email education@discoverymuseum.org

FEES:
$275 minimum fee for up to 20 students,
add $14 per student for 21 - 30 students,
add $8 per student for 31 - 110 students.
Add $8 per student for take home telescopes if booking Scope-It-Out.