Gladwin Planetarium

Ongoing

Inside our theater, the stars are always out. Our expert Astronomy Programs presenters are ready to answer your questions during interactive live presentations. Get to know the stars of Santa Barbara, the universe, and the wonders of space. Our Evans & Sutherland Digistar 7 dual-projection system with 4K resolution allows us to provide exciting, immersive educational adventures.

Planetarium shows are included with admission (and Members are always free), but capacity is limited. Listen for the announcement on the speaker system in our exhibit halls inviting you to line up in front of Space Sciences 5–10 minutes in advance of each show. First come, first served. The planetarium is not ADA accessible; visit our accessibility page for more information. Interested in other astronomy events? Visit our astronomy calendar.

Fall Schedule: September 18–December 13

Visiting December 14–January 3? Check out our winter holiday schedule.
Visiting January 4–March 21? Check our our winter schedule.

Weekdays

1:00 PM – Exploring the Autumn Sky
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.

Weekends

11:00 AM – The Night Sky for Little Dippers
(recommended for families with young children; 15 minutes)

This 15-minute presentation is targeted at young audiences with different topics at every show. Come back again and again with your little one to build up their enthusiasm and excitement for space!
12:00 PM – Exploring the Solar System
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 40 minutes)

Travel along with us on a faster-than-light journey through the solar system. Observe where the planets will be in tonight’s sky, and cruise through outer space to visit them at sci-fi speeds! Take an up-close look at each planet and its moons, as if riding along with the satellites orbiting these faraway worlds. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
1:00 PM – From Earth to the Universe
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Journey out to the colorful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars, and still further out beyond the Milky Way to the unimaginable immensity of myriad galaxies. Along the way, 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.
2:00 PM – De la Tierra al Universo
(se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 30 minutos)

El cielo nocturno, hermoso y misterioso, ha sido el centro de historias en campamentos, mitos antiguos y leyendas desde que existimos. Sin embargo, solo recientemente hemos comenzado realmente a comprender nuestro lugar en el vasto cosmos. Únete a nosotros en un viaje de descubrimiento celestial. Esta presentación incluye preguntas y respuestas en vivo con la presentadora.
3:00 PM – Exploring the Autumn Sky
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Join us for a tour of tonight’s night sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.

Winter Holiday Schedule: December 14–January 3

Weekdays

12:00 PM – Santa's Starry Ride
(recommended for all ages; 20 minutes)

Follow along Santa's journey to celebrate the winter holidays of cultures throughout the world. Learn how Santa's reindeer use the night sky to guide their way through winter during this holiday show.
12:45 PM – Edge of Darkness
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Explore amazing scenes of comets and asteroids gathered by key space missions as we journey to the great cliffs on comet 67P, bright "lights" on Ceres, and the first ever close-up look at dwarf-binary planet Pluto/Charon and its moons.
1:30 PM – Wonders of the Winter Sky
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Join us for a tour of tonight’s night sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.

Weekends

11:00 AM – Santa's Starry Ride
(recommended for all ages; 20 minutes)

Follow along Santa's journey to celebrate the winter holidays of cultures throughout the world. Learn how Santa's reindeer use the night sky to guide their way through winter during this holiday show.
12:00 PM – Cosmic Neighbors: From Earth to Distant Worlds
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Is there life beyond Earth? How do the planets in our solar system compare to other worlds? Answer these questions and more during this live show exploring planets and exoplanets. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
1:00 PM – Edge of Darkness
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Explore amazing scenes of comets and asteroids gathered by key space missions as we journey to the great cliffs on comet 67P, bright "lights" on Ceres, and the first ever close-up look at dwarf-binary planet Pluto/Charon and its moons.
2:00 PM – El Borde de la Oscuridad
(se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 30 minutos)

Explora escenas asombrosas de cometas y asteroides recopiladas por misiones especiales mientras viajamos a los enormes acantilados del cometa 67P, las brillantes "luces" en Ceres, y la primera vista de cerca del planeta enano-binario Plutón/Caronte y sus lunas.
3:00 PM – Wonders of the Winter Sky
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Join us for a tour of tonight’s night sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.

Winter Schedule: January 4–March 21

Weekdays

1:30 PM – Wonders of the Winter Sky
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.

Weekends

11:00 AM – The Night Sky for Little Dippers
(recommended for families with young children; 15 minutes)

This 15-minute presentation is targeted at young audiences with different topics at every show. Come back again and again with your little one to build up their enthusiasm and excitement for space!
12:00 PM – Cosmic Neighbors: From Earth to Distant Worlds
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Is there life beyond Earth? How do the planets in our solar system compare to other worlds? Answer these questions and more during this live show exploring planets and exoplanets. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
1:00 PM – Edge of Darkness
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Explore amazing scenes of comets and asteroids gathered by key space missions as we journey to the great cliffs on comet 67P, bright "lights" on Ceres, and the first ever close-up look at dwarf-binary planet Pluto/Charon and its moons.
2:00 PM – El Borde de la Oscuridad
(se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 30 minutos)

Explora escenas asombrosas de cometas y asteroides recopiladas por misiones especiales mientras viajamos a los enormes acantilados del cometa 67P, las brillantes "luces" en Ceres, y la primera vista de cerca del planeta enano-binario Plutón/Caronte y sus lunas.
3:00 PM – Wonders of the Winter Sky
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

Join us for a tour of tonight’s night sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.

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