We are delighted to welcome visitors back to the Planetarium!
You can schedule a private show in the Planetarium for your group of 1-100 people.
Planetarium shows run 45-60 minutes. In addition to the show itself, we have a small exhibit area. School-age students can do a scavenger hunt in the exhibit area. That takes about 10-20 minutes. The scavenger hunt can be done before or after a show.
We also have a gift shop with books, toys, and, of course, Astronaut ice cream.
COVID Safety: Face masks are optional in all campus buildings. Raritan Valley Community College will continue to review its mask-wearing guidelines as warranted.
Maximum Number of attendees: 100
Fee: $200 for up to 20 people for one program. Additional people are $10 per person.
When: October - May: Weekdays at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm
Saturdays at 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 5:00 pm
June: Weekdays at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm
July and August: Monday - Thursday at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm
Weekdays evening requests will be considered individually
Insurance: Raritan Valley Community College requests a Certificate of Insurance from all visiting groups.
Schedule a Trip: Fill out our Reservation Form
Contact: planet@raritanval.edu for more information
Astronomy Programs - Elementary Grades
Most shows include a live introduction to what stars and constellations we can see in tonight’s sky. If you prefer, you can choose one of our other “short” programs listed farther down this page.
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| Rockin' Rocket Ride – Designed for Grades PreK-K Join us on an adventure into space to learn about the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars. Supports NJSLS-Science: Crosscutting Concepts: Patterns |
| The Weather – Designed for Grades K – 2 Use our five senses to observe and predict weather. Discover different cloud types Supports NJSLS-Science: Changes in the Earth and Sky, K-ESS2.D Weather and Climate, 2-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter, 2-PS1.B: Chemical Reactions, |
| The Accidental Astronauts – Designed for Grades PreK – 3 Robo-kids Cy, Annie and their dog Armstrong get a lot more than they expected fromtheir class field trip in an impromptu adventure. Travel along exploring the Sun, Earth and Moon, with a witty starship computer as navigator and guide. Race along on the surface of the Moon! Collect an asteroid sample in low gravity! Survive a solar storm! Supports NJSLS-Science: Earth’s Place in the Universe 1-ESS1-1. Earth’s Place in the |
| Magic Tree House: Space Mission – Designed for Grades K – 4 From the authors of the best-selling novel series, join Jack and Annie as they discover the secrets of the Sun, Moon, planets, space travel, and more. Who can help them answer the mysterious "M's" questions? None other than an astronomer, an astronaut, some web surfing, and some thoughtful reflection. Supports NJSLS-Science: K-PS2 Motion and Stability, 1-ESS1 and 5-ESS1 Earth’s Place in the Universe, NJSLSA.R2, NJSLSA Reading Informational Texts K-4 |
| The Little Star that Could – Designed for Grades 1-3 Travel with an average yellow star on his quest to get a “name” and a planet to call his own. A “cool” red star, a “hot” blue star, a dying star, double stars, and the Milky Supports NJSLS-Science: 2-PS1-1 Matter and Its Interactions, 5-ESS1-1 Earth’s Place in the Universe |
| Perfect Little Planet – Designed for Grades 1-4 Imagine the ultimate space vacation! What if you could travel the galaxy to find that ideal place? Discover our solar system through a new set of eyes – a family from Supports NJSLS-Science: K-PS3-1 Energy, 5-ESS1-1 Earth’s Place in the Universe |
| Follow the Drinking Gourd – Designed for Grades 2 - 4 Learn to find the Big Dipper and several other constellations in our night sky. Then, join a slave family as they use the Big Dipper as a guide to escape oppression in the South. Sing along with the slaves who used the song of the Drinking Gourd to travel Supports NJSLS-Science: Earth’s Place in the Universe 1-ESS1-1, 1-ESS1-2 |
| Earth, Moon, and Sun (and Coyote) – Designed for Grades 2-5 Coyote has a razor-sharp wit, but he’s a little confused about what he sees in the sky. Join this amusing character (adapted from Native American oral traditions) in a fastpaced and fun show that tells Native American stories, explores lunar phases, eclipses, and other puzzles. Engaging and immersive, “Earth, Moon & Sun” examines how humans learn through space exploration. This program includes a brief tour of Supports NJSLS-Science: Earth’s Place in the Universe 5-ESS1-2. Space Systems MSESS1-1 |
| The Problem with Pluto – Designed for Grades 3 – 6 Follow Lucy on her trip through the solar system as she gathers data on Pluto’s status as a planet. Discover current information about the planets and investigate where Pluto belongs in the overall structure of the solar system. After the story, we’ll discover some of the stars and constellations we can see in tonight’s sky. Supports NJSLS-Science: Earth’s Place in the Universe MS-ESS1 |
Astronomy Programs - Middle School-Adult
All shows include a live introduction to what stars and constellations we can see in tonight’s sky. If you prefer,
you can choose one of our other “short” programs listed farther down this page.
| 5000 Eyes: Mapping the Universe with DESI The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is creating the most detailed map of our nearby universe. Installed on the Mayall telescope on Kitt Peak in Southern Arizona, DESI's 5000 independently operated robots can measure the light from thousands of galaxies at once. Join us as we explore the science, instrument, and people behind this global endeavor. |
| Astronaut The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the ISS to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body. Discover the perils that lurk in space as we subject “Chad” our test astronaut, to everything that space has to throw at him. Supports NJSLS-Science: 5-PS2, MS-PS2, MS-PS4, HS-PS4 |
| Big Astronomy Big Astronomy shares the story of the people and places who make big astronomy and big science happen. This show takes visitors to the extreme Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-ESS2-5, MS-PS4-2 |
| Black Holes “Black Holes” takes you on a journey through one of the most mystifying, awe-inspiring phenomena in the universe: a black hole. Where do they come from? Where do they go? How do we find them? Is there one on Earth's horizon? Explore the science and mystery of Black Holes. *23 minute and 40 minute versions available. Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1, HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3 |
| Cosmic Origins Spectrograph Journey from a distant quasar to the Hubble Space Telescope orbiting the Earth. Light produces a spectrum. The spectrum changes as it travels towards Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1, HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3 |
| Dark Matter Mystery – Exploring a Cosmic Secret What keeps galaxies together? What are the building blocks of the Universe? What makes the Universe look the way it looks today? We know that approximately a quarter of the Universe is filled with a mysterious glue: Dark Matter. We know that it is out there, but we have no idea what it is made of. You will see why we know that Dark Matter exists, and how this search is one of the most challenging and exciting searches science has to offer. Join the scientists on their hunt for Dark Matter with experiments in space and deep underground. Will they be able to solve the Dark Matter Mystery? Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1, HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3 |
| Exploding Universe The universe we see and even our existence have been shaped by explosive events like supernovae: the death throes explosions of giant stars. These maelstroms create the elements which form complex molecules and life, seeding the galaxies for future star systems. Explosive events of all scales from the subatomic of particle accelerators mimicking conditions in the early Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1, HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3 |
| Forward! to the Moon Forward! To the Moon which engages audiences in NASA efforts to send both humans and robots to the Moon and Mars. Narrated by Kari Byron from |
| From Earth to the Universe Experience Astronomy 101 in under an hour. The splendors of the Universe are revealed in this beautiful program. Our ancestors used the sky as a time keeper. Later, philosophers and scientists, from the Greeks to Galileo, began to unravel some of its mysteries. The invention of the telescope has allowed for still more discoveries. Fly by all the planets in our solar system, then travel beyond to view the birthplace and death of stars, and still farther to the myriad galaxies in our Universe. *available with Spanish soundtrack Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, HS-ESS1-1,2,3,4 |
| Infinity Express & Cosmic Address "Infinity Express" takes the audience on an exciting journey of discovery, from the search for solar systems to the mapping of the Universe. Then, “Cosmic Address” takes us on a journey from Earth, past the Oort Cloud, the Milky Way Galaxy and continues to the cosmic microwave background radiation to see where our tiny planet fits into this great big Universe. *Infinity Express available with Spanish soundtrack Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1, HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3 |
| Live Seasonal Sky Show Introduce your students to the wonders of the day and night sky. This program can be tailored to your needs. Please choose one or two of the topics listed:
Call to discuss topics you’d like to cover during this show. Supports NJSLS-Science: Patterns, Cycles |
| Mayan Archeoastronomy In a feast of colors and sounds, Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe makes a tour of 6 Mayan temples: San Gervasio, Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná, Palenque and Bonampak where the spectator dives into a Mayan world of knowledge about the importance of the orientations of its temples in relation to the movement of some stars like the Sun, the Moon and Venus. *available with English or Spanish soundtrack |
| Moons of the Solar System A live, interactive presentation.
Supports NJSLS-Science: Patterns, Cycles |
| Natural Selection Join the young Charles Darwin on an adventurous voyage of exploration circumnavigating the world with the HMS Beagle. Witness the thrill of scientific discovery by seeing the world through Darwin's eyes, make observations of the most beautiful natural scenery, and let the pieces of a scientific puzzle slowly but surely fall into place. Allow Darwin himself to reveal this simple and most beautiful mechanism that explains the evolution of all life on Earth: natural selection, the single most wonderful idea anyone has ever had. Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-LS3-1, HS-LS3-1,3, HS-LS4-1,2,3,4,5 |
| Our Violent Planet: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis We live out our lives on our planet’s fractured crust “plates” that pull apart, collide, grind past each other, and even sink below one another, producing violent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and catastrophic walls of water known as tsunamis. Supports NJSLS-Science: 4-ESS3-2, MS-ESS2, HS-ESS2 |
| Out There: A Quest for Extrasolar Worlds For thousands of years, we thought that we were the center of the Universe. Since then, science has taught us an astonishing amount about our cosmos. But even before we knew that our Sun was just one of many ordinary stars out there, people began to question if we were alone in the Universe. It’s possible that someone or something is, at this very moment, looking in our direction and asking the very same question. In its infinite nature, the Universe must have had endless possibilities to create other places like Earth. It is not the question of whether life exists elsewhere, but where we will have to look, and how we will find it — out there. Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1, HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3 |
| Solar System Odyssey Go on a futuristic journey through our Solar System. With Earth's resources being rapidly depleted, a tycoon sends our hero, Jack Larson, on a mission to discover a new home to colonize. This character-driven show is perfect for middle school students! Supports NJSLS-Science: Earth’s Place in the Universe MS-ESS1, MS-ESS1-3, Earth and Human Activity MS-ESS3.A |
| SunStruck Discover the wonders of our Sun. It radiates energy in all wavelengths. How does it produce energy? What are the different layers of the Sun? Its incredible energy has supported life on Earth for millennia, but is now Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-PS4-2, MS-ESS3-2, HS-PS3-2, HS-ESS1-1 |
| S.E.T.I. The Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence As yet, we have no hard evidence of another living thing outside Planet Earth. “S.E.T.I. – The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence” – is a show that explores all sides of this topic, from the planets we are finding around other stars, to the feasibility of traveling to the stars, and what aliens might actually be like, to the possibility that UFOs have been visiting and the various methods that scientists are using to get in touch. Will we make contact in our lifetimes? This program includes a live-narrated trip out of our solar system to see where some planets have been discovered around other stars. Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1, HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3 |
| To Worlds Beyond: A Journey through the Solar System Take an amazing journey through our solar system, visiting each of the planets, plus the most famous dwarf planet, Pluto. Beautiful images taken from orbiting satellites blend with high-end animations and current information on our neighborhood of planets. Supports NJSLS-Science: Earth’s Place in the Universe MS-ESS1 |
| Two Small Pieces of Glass Explores the evolution of telescope technology from Galileo’s experiments to the Hubble Space Telescope and beyond. *available with Spanish soundtrack Supports NJSLS-Science: 3-5 ETS1-1, 2, 3; MST-ETS-1,2,3 |
Short Programs
Short Programs, running 10-15 minutes in length, can be added to any of the above
Planetarium shows.
| Tonight’s Sky – Grades K-12 An introduction to the stars and constellations we can see in tonight’s sky. This is typically included with every show we do, but can be replaced by something else by request. |
| Space Shapes – Grades PreK-2 What shape are things in space? Are they round like a pancake or round like a ball? We’ll fly around the Moon, a planet, and look at our galaxy to see if they are the same or different. |
| Seasonal Sun Paths – Grades 1-12 We say the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west, but that’s not entirely accurate. We’ll observe the Sun’s rising and setting positions for each season and compare the lengths of the day over the course of the year. Supports NJSLS-Science: 1-ESS1-2 Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year. |
| Cosmic Address – Grades 3-12 Take a journey from Earth, past the Oort Cloud, the Milky Way Galaxy and continue to the cosmic microwave background radiation to see where our tiny |
| Solar Quest – Grades 4-12 Demonstrates how the Sun and Earth are interconnected and that we are "Living with a Star." High quality animations display solar phenomena such as fusion and light energy as well as solar surface features and events. Granules, solar flares and coronal mass ejections are highlighted. The show discusses the |
| Losing the Dark – Grades 3-12 Starry skies are a vanishing treasure because light pollution is washing away our view of the cosmos. It not only threatens astronomy, it disrupts wildlife, and affects human health. The yellow glows over cities and towns — seen so clearly from space — are testament to the billions spent in wasted energy from lighting up the sky. If we all work together, we can bring back the dark of night to planet Earth. |
Programs in Spanish
The following shows can be presented with a Spanish-language soundtrack. We do not have the ability to run a show with two soundtracks (English and Spanish) playing at the same time.
| The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket / El secreto del cohete de carton – Grades 1-4 Presented in Spanish! Adventure through the solar system in the Cardboard Rocket! Travel with two children and their navigator, the talking astronomy *available with English or Spanish soundtrack |
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| Big Astronomy – Grades 4-12 Big Astronomy shares the story of the people and places who make big astronomy and big science happen. This show takes visitors to the extreme *available with English or Spanish soundtrack Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-ESS2-5, MS-PS4-2 |
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| Mayan Archeoastronomy – Grades 4-12 In a feast of colors and sounds, Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe makes a tour of 6 Mayan temples: San Gervasio, Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná, Palenque and Bonampak where the spectator dives into a Mayan world of knowledge about the importance of the orientations of its temples in relation to the movement of some stars like the Sun, the Moon and Venus. *available with English or Spanish soundtrack |
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| Two Small Pieces of Glass – Grades 4-12 Explores the evolution of telescope technology from Galileo’s experiments to the Hubble Space Telescope and beyond. *available with English or Spanish soundtrack Supports NJSLS-Science: 3-5 ETS1-1, 2, 3; MST-ETS-1,2,3 |
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| From Earth to the Universe – Grades 4-12 Experience Astronomy 101 in under an hour. The splendors of the Universe are revealed in this beautiful program. Our ancestors used the sky as a time keeper. Later, philosophers and scientists, from the Greeks to Galileo, began to unravel some of its mysteries. The invention of the telescope has allowed for still more discoveries. Fly by all the planets in our solar system, then travel beyond to view the birthplace and death of stars, and still farther to the myriad galaxies in our Universe. *available with English or Spanish soundtrack Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, HS-ESS1-1,2,3,4 |
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| Infinity Express & Cosmic Address – Grades 4-12 "Infinity Express" takes the audience on an exciting journey of discovery, from the search for solar systems to the mapping of the Universe. Then, “Cosmic Address” takes us on a journey from Earth, past the Oort Cloud, the Milky Way Galaxy and continues to the cosmic microwave background radiation to see where our tiny planet fits into this great big Universe. *Infinity Express available with English or Spanish soundtrack Supports NJSLS-Science: MS-ESS1, HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3 |
Seasonal Shows
| Halloween: Celestial Origins – Grades 4-adult What do you associate with Halloween? Trick-or-Treating, costumes…astronomy? After all, Halloween is an astronomical holiday! Learn the history of Halloween and how it fits into the seasons as a “cross-quarter day.” We will also explore the night sky and learn what planets, constellations, and stars will be out on your Halloween evening. |
| The Alien Who Stole Christmas – K-3 Discover the stars visible in the winter sky. Then follow Santa on a trip through the solar system when a friendly alien kidnaps him. The kids on the other |
| The Christmas Star – Grades 4-adult Over the years, many people have tried to explain the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem, as described in the Bible. Was it an exploding star, a comet or some other natural event in the sky? Potential natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem and common modern-day misconceptions are discussed. The program includes a brief tour of the current night sky. |
| Our Lovely Skies – Grades 4-adult Constellations memorialize love lost and love gained. Planets are named for Roman and Greek gods who have stories of their own. Beautiful stellar nebulas |
Sensory-Friendly
Many astronomy shows can be presented in a more sensory-friendly manner, if requested. We bring down the volume of the soundtrack. We may be able to keep the lights on or dim a little longer than in other shows. We also have a program specifically designed for visitors on the Autism Spectrum.
| The Sky Above (sensory friendly) A special astronomy and music show designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum or those with developmental disabilities. These sensory friendly shows, which are appropriate for audiences of all ages, will provide a comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. During the show, the doors will remain open so children may freely leave and return if they choose. Lights will be left dim (instead of dark) and the audio will be lowered and kept at a consistent level. “The Sky Above” show includes music,laser lights, stories, and information about the planets, the Moon and constellations. Content is presented on a kindergarten level. |
Laser Concerts
During a laser concert, lasers draw pictures on the dome while we play music. This is a sampling of some of our shows. Contact us for a full list of songs in each show.
- Laser Ladies (all songs are by female artists)
- Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon
- The Best of Pink Floyd
- Pink Floyd: The Wall
- Rockin’ Cosmic (all songs have a space theme)
- Laser Hollywood (themes and songs from movies)
- Laser Springsteen
- Led Zeppelin
- Queen
- The Beatles
- Bon Jovi
- Rock of Ages (80’s songs from the Broadway/movie by the same title)
- Grateful Dead
- Classic Rock (mostly 70’s songs)
- Taylor Swift
- Laser Love (all songs have a love theme)
- Laser Kids (family friendly songs including “YMCA” by The Village People and “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X.)
- Laser Magic (family friendly songs including “Everything is Awesome” from The LEGO Movie and “Fireworks” by Katy Perry.)
- Pop Rock (family friendly songs including “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles and “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson.)
- La Musica (all songs are in Spanish)
