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The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg will commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States in July with a new star show focusing on the celestial events of the Revolutionary War period and a laser concert celebrating British and American music.

The month also will feature a new show focusing on the mysteries of space and a laser concert featuring K-Pop tunes.

The new programs will kick off in July with Cosmic Questions, Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22, and 29, at 2:30 p.m. Several museum staff members and local celebrities were asked to contribute their questions about space, and the answers are explained during the program, tackling such big mysteries as aliens, black holes, and the multiverse. Join us for a wild ride through the cosmos as we uncover the peculiar, the obvious, and the far-out. Cosmic Questions is recommended for audiences ages 6-adult.

Attention all K-Pop “stans”: a brand-new laser show has just landed. K-Pop Laser Concert will be presented Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22, and 29, at 3:30 p.m.; Fridays, July 17 and 24, at 7 p.m.; and Friday, July 31, at 9 p.m. Enjoy music from the band that brought audiences “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” as well as BTS, Stray Kids, and much more.

The semiquincentennial celebration at the Planetarium will commence with a presentation of Revolutionary Skies, Fridays, July 10, 17, and 24, at 8 p.m. The new show celebrates America’s 250th birthday with information about the stars, celestial events, and scientists of the Revolutionary War period.

For a more modern, musical take on the theme, the Planetarium will offer Redcoats to Rebels, Fridays, July 10, 17, and 24, at 9 p.m. The British are coming—and bringing rockin’ music. Enjoy a laser show featuring music from rock ‘n’ roll songs popular during the famous “British Invasion.” Tunes by such bands as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Queen will be featured. Then, we'll switch continents and enjoy some classic rock songs from American bands, including Journey, Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi, and Twisted Sister.

Local audiences will have the opportunity to celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday with the Planetarium show, Skies Over Hogwarts, Friday, July 31, at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Join an eclectic group of witches and wizards as they guide visitors through a Harry Potter-themed tour of the night sky. Learn how astronomy was used as the inspiration for some of the characters' names. The show is recommended for audience members ages 8-adult.

Other Planetarium shows open to the public in July include:

•    Magic Tree House: Space Mission, based on the same-titled, best-selling series of novels, Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23, and 30, at 2:30 p.m. (Recommended for ages 5-12)

•    Earth, Moon, Sun & Coyote, a star show focusing on eclipses, moon phases, and the motion of the day and night skies, Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23, and 30, at 3:30 p.m. (Recommended for ages 6-12)

•    Sunset Meditation, a guided meditation experience in the Planetarium’s comfortable, reclined seats, Friday, July 10, at 7 p.m. (Recommended for ages 10-adult)

For a complete list and schedule of RVCC Planetarium upcoming star shows and laser concerts open to the public, visit https://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium/public-shows.

Planetarium tickets cost $11 for one show, $20 for two shows back-to-back on the same day. Reservations are recommended, but all ticket sales are done at the door on the day of the show. Late admission to Planetarium programs is not permitted. For reservations and information, call 908-231-8805 or email planet@raritanval.edu. For additional information, visit www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.

Planetarium laser shows include loud music, flashing lights, and rapidly moving graphics, all in a dark environment, and therefore may not be recommended for those who are sensitive to these conditions or have a medical condition that could be exacerbated by them.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 18, 2026

PR #115