Planetarium Shows

SHOW TIMES through May 31, 2013

SHOW TIMES June 1-30, 2013

 

Feature Shows
(grade 5 & above)

For visitors who have an established interest in astronomy and space, the Barlow Planetarium presents feature shows on astronomy and space topics.

Cosmic Colors:  An Adventure Along the SpectrumCosmic Colors

March 2 - May 31, 2013

Cosmic Colors: An Adventure Along the Spectrum will take visitors on a wondrous journey through the world of color and beyond! Discover why the sky is blue, why Mars is red, and the reason why many things are the color that they are. Tour the interior of a plant leaf, voyage through a human eye, then step into the invisible universe as you investigate x-rays by taking on a monstrous black hole. Explore the world of infrared in a roaring fire, and even discover what may have been the actual color of a dinosaur. Explore the amazing rainbow of cosmic light through Cosmic Colors. Each show concludes with a tour of the current nighttime sky – stars, constellations and planets – as seen from the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin.

 

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Ring WorldRing World Title

June 1-30, 2013

The planet Saturn has long fascinated all those who have looked through a telescope to see its beautiful rings. But telescopes just are not good enough! The NASA/ESA Cassini-Huygens space probe has arrived at Saturn and is conducting experiments and collecting data as you read this. Learn about the capabilities of the Cassini-Huygens probe and be updated with the latest images and data. This exciting NASA-produced adventure is narrated by John Billingsley of Star Trek - Enterprise! Each show concludes with a tour of the current nighttime sky – stars, constellations and planets – as seen from the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin.

 

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COMING SOON - FEATURE SHOWS

Bad Astronomy Title
The Planets

Bad Astronomy

7/3/13 - 8/2/13

The Planets

8/3/13 - 9/1/13

 

Family Shows
(grade 4 & below)

For the visitors that are young and young-at-heart that are looking for a light, fun and educational astronomy experience, the Barlow Planetarium presents family shows on astronomy.

 

Bear Tales and Other Grizzly StoriesBear Tales Title

April 2 - May 30, 2013

Bear Tales features a variety of stories as told by Grandpa Ben and his family as they camp out under the stars of early-summer. While sitting around the campfire, learn the stories of several constellations, in particular the Big Bear and the Little Bear. Suitable for audiences of all ages, this program on the origins of the constellations includes stories from ancient Greece and Egypt as well as modern humorous tales. Bear Tales is a perfect program for children and includes the sing-along, Waltzing with Bears. Each show concludes with a tour of the current nighttime sky – stars, constellations and planets – as seen from the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin.

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Lifestyles of the StarsLifestyles of the Stars Title

June 1 - August 1, 2013

Grab your tour map and climb aboard our AstroTours bus driven by Tachyon - a slightly wacky tour guide - who really knows his stellar evolution! Visit nebulae to see star formation. See stars of all different colors - red dwarf, blue/white giant, red supergiant, yellow - and discover what the colors mean. End your tour with a visit to an average looking yellow star that had unnatural radio signals coming from its third planet - could it be intelligent life?  Each show concludes with a tour of the current nighttime sky – stars, constellations and planets – as seen from the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin.

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COMING SOON - FAMILY SHOWS

Larry Cat Title

Larry Cat in Space


8/3/13 - 9/1/13

 

Family Laser Shows
(all ages)

For the visitors that are young and young-at-heart that are looking for a light, fun and educational music laser experience, the Barlow Planetarium presents family laser shows.

FAMILY LASER SHOWS WILL RETURN ON OCTOBER 19, 2013! 

THANKS FOR A GREAT FAMILY LASER SHOW SEASON!

 

Current Events Star Show

In conjunction with Barlow Planetarium Family Astronomy Night!

Wisconsin Skies

Wisconsin Skies

Get a rundown of the past month’s astronomy, space and science events in Wisconsin Skies. Each month Barlow astronomers comb the news, surf the internet, and monitor the message boards to find the most intriguing astronomy and space information available – sometimes some of the information was released only hours before our program!  Expect to hear about the latest developments in Earth observing, spaceflight, solar system and deep space.  Wisconsin Skies concludes with a longer, expanded and more in-depth tour of the current nighttime sky – stars, constellations and planets – as seen from the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin.

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Barlow Planetarium Family Astronomy Night

Planetariums offered the very first form of virtual reality.  However, to get the full astronomy experience, everyone should spend time under and observing the real sky as well.  Barlow Family Astronomy Night offers such an experience.  Each month on the Saturday evening on or after the First Quarter Moon, the Barlow offers the current family show at 6:00 pm, current feature show at 7:00 pm, and a special current events Wisconsin Skies show at 8:00 pm.

After each show, weather permitting, Barlow astronomers (laser pointers at the ready) and telescopes are available for showing you the real nighttime sky.  Expect to see Moon, planets (when available), constellations, star clusters and nebulae.  Telescope viewing is free with admission to any the Barlow shows.

Program time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Telescope Viewing: 7:00 - 9:00 pm (weather permitting)

PLEASE NOTE FOR BARLOW FAMILY ASTRONOMY NIGHT

  • SINCE ALL SHOWS ARE NOT AGE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL VISITORS, EACH OF THE SHOWS IS PRICED INDIVIDUALLY. 
  • FOR VISITORS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SEEING ALL THE SHOWS THERE ARE MULTIPLE SHOW DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE.
  • June 22, 2013 (sunset:  8:41 pm)
  • July 20, 2013 (sunset:  8:31 pm)
  • August 17, 2013 (sunset:  7:55 pm)
  • September 14, 2013 (sunset:  7:06 pm)
  • October 12, 2013 (sunset:  6:14 pm)
  • November 9, 2013 (sunset:  4:33 pm)
  • December 14, 2013 (sunset:  4:15 pm)