We are delighted to welcome visitors back to the Planetarium!
Planetarium shows run 45-60 minutes. In addition to the show itself, we have a small exhibit area and a gift shop with books, toys, and, of course, Astronaut ice cream.
COVID Safety: Face masks are optional in all campus buildings including in the Planetarium. Raritan Valley Community College will continue to review its mask-wearing guidelines as warranted.
Plan to arrive early! Planetarium shows start promptly. Late admission is not allowed. Arrive 20-30 minutes before your show starts to purchase your tickets and look at the exhibits.
Parking: The closest parking lots are #9 and #1. Walk up the stairs to get to the Planetarium entrance. Call the Planetarium if you need handicapped parking.
Admission: $10 per person for one show, $18 per person for two shows back to back
Make a reservation: Reservations are recommended. All ticket sales are done at the door on the day of the show.
Call 908-231-8805
Email planet@raritanval.edu (Please provide your name, phone number, which show(s) you’d like to see, and how many tickets you’d like.)
Contact: planet@raritanval.edu for more information or with any questions.
Please Note: 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.
Sensory - Friendly Shows
The Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Planetarium in Branchburg offers special astronomy and music shows 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.
Cost: $10 for one show, $18 for two shows
908-231-8805
Sensory-Friendly Planetarium Shows
|
| The Sky Above (sensory friendly), Saturday, September 7, 5:00 pm 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. |
July 2024
Cost: $10 for one show, $18 for two shows back to back
908-231-8805
July Planetarium Shows
| Date | Time | Show | Ages |
| Wed., July 10 | 2:30 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 3:30 pm | Earth, Moon, Sun & Coyote and Laser Lite | 6-12 | |
| Thurs., July 11 | 2:30 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 3:30 pm | Earth, Moon, Sun & Coyote and Laser Lite | 6-12 | |
| Fri., July 12 | 7:00 pm | Magic Tree House: Space Mission | 5-12 |
| 8:00 pm | Mars: The Ultimate Voyage | 8-adult | |
| 9:00 pm | Summer Lights laser concert | 10-adult | |
| Wed., July 17 | 2:30 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 3:30 pm | Earth, Moon, Sun and Coyote & Laser Lite | 6-12 | |
| Thurs., July 18 | 2:30 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 3:30 pm | Earth, Moon, Sun and Coyote & Laser Lite | 6-12 | |
| Fri., July 19 | 7:00 pm | Magic Tree House: Space Mission | 6-12 |
| 8:00 pm | Mars: The Ultimate Voyage | 8-adult | |
| 9:00 pm | Summer Lights laser concert | 10-adult | |
| Wed., July 24 | 2:30 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 3:30 pm | Earth, Moon, Sun and Coyote & Laser Lite | 6-12 | |
| Thurs., July 25 | 2:30 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 3:30 pm | Earth, Moon, Sun and Coyote & Laser Lite | 6-12 | |
| Fri., July 26 | 7:00 pm | The Skies over Hogwarts | 8-adult |
| 8:00 pm | The Skies over Hogwarts | 8-adult | |
| 9:00 pm | Family Fright Light laser concert | 10-adult | |
| Wed., July 31 | 2:30 pm | Accidental Astronauts | 5-10 |
| 3:30 pm | Laser Kids | 6-12 |
| Perfect Little Planet, Wednesdays, July 10, 17, 24, 2:30 pm; Thursdays, July 11, 18, 25, 2:30 pm A family from another star system is seeking the perfect vacation spot. Fly over the surface of Pluto, our best known dwarf planet; sail through the rings of Saturn; feel Jupiter’s lightning storms; and walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination will they choose? (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
| Earth, Moon, Sun & Coyote AND Laser Lite, Wednesdays, July 10, 17, 24,3:30 pm; Thursdays, July 11, 18, 25, 3:30 p.m. Join us for an astronomy show AND a laser concert in one hour! Coyote thinks he knows everything about the sky, but he’s surprised by how many misconceptions he has about eclipses, moon phases, and the motion of the day and night skies. Then rock out to about 20 minutes of songs and lasers. (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
| Magic Tree House: Space Mission, Fridays, July 12, 19, 7:00 pm Join Jack and Annie as they discover the secrets of the Sun, Moon, planets, space travel, and more. Who can help them answer the questions left for them by the mysterious "M"? This show is based on the same-titled, best-selling series of novels. (Recommended for ages 5 and older) |
| Mars: The Ultimate Voyage, Fridays, July 12, 19, 8:00 pm What will it take to get to Mars? Explore this question in this new planetarium show. This dynamic, animated experience highlights real NASA research and initiatives that are preparing the next generation of astronauts to travel to Mars. It illuminates how creativity, collaboration, communication, and expertise in a diverse number of fields are key for the success of deep space travel—while also inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals! This planetarium show is produced by the Bell Museum, in partnership with NASA and UNC Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 8 to adult) |
| Summer Lights Laser Concert, Fridays, July 12, 19, 9:00 pm The Summer is just getting started! Break out your Hawaiian shirts and listen to songs that remind us of summertime. "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet, "Rock Lobster" by the B-52's, and "Heatwave" by Glass Animals are just some of the summer-themed songs you'll hear in this laser concert. (Recommended for ages 8-adult) |
| The Skies over Hogwarts, Friday, July 26, 7:00, 8:00 pm Join our eclectic group of witches and wizards as they guide visitors through a Harry Potter-themed tour of the night sky. Learn how J.K. Rowling used astronomy as the inspiration for some of her characters' names. (Recommended for ages 8-adult) |
| Family Fright Light laser concert, Friday, July 26, 9:00 pm The Witches and Ghouls continue to haunt the planetarium. They love our laser songs, including “The Adams Family Theme Song,” “Monster Mash,” and “Ghostbusters.” (Recommended for ages 6-adult) |
| Accidental Astronauts, Wednesday, July 31, 2:30 pm Robo-kids Cy, Annie, and their dog, Armstrong, get a lot more than they expected from their 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! Find new appreciation for the unique beauty of Earth. Journey along with the Accidental Astronauts in this epic dome theater adventure. (Recommended for ages 5-10) |
| Laser Kids laser concert, Wednesday, July 31, 3:30 pm, A mix of music with a song list to entertain kids and kids at heart while lasers dance on the dome overhead. Songs include “Bright,” by Echosmith, “YMCA” by the Village People, “Mia” by Bad Bunny, and “Waka Waka” by Shakira. (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
August 2024
Cost: $10 for one show, $18 for two shows back to back
908-231-8805
August Planetarium Shows
Closed Labor Day Weekend
| Date | Time | Show | Ages |
| Thurs., August 1 | 2:30 pm | Accidental Astronauts | 5-10 |
| 3:30 pm | Laser Kids laser concert | 6-12 | |
| Fri., August 2 | 7:00 pm | Rockin’ Rocket Ride | 3-8 |
| 8:00 pm | Astronomy Tonight | 8-adult | |
| 9:00 pm | Led Zeppelin Laser concert | 10-adult | |
| Wed., August 7 | 2:30 pm | Accidental Astronauts | 5-10 |
| 3:30 pm | Laser Kids | 6-12 | |
| Thurs., August 8 | 2:30 pm | Accidental Astronauts | 5-10 |
| 3:30 pm | Laser Kids | 6-10 | |
| Fri., August 9 | 7:00 pm | Attack of the Space Pirates | 10-adult |
| 8:00 pm | Mars: The Ultimate Voyage | 8-adult | |
| 9:00 pm | Led Zeppelin Laser concert | 10-adult | |
| Wed., August 14 | 2:30 pm | Space Shapes & Tycho to the Moon | 5-8 |
| 3:30 pm | Lasers for Littles | 3-8 | |
| Thurs., August 15 | 2:30 pm | Space Shapes & Tycho to the Moon | 5-8 |
| 3:30 pm | Lasers for Littles | 3-8 | |
| Fri., August 16 | 7:00 pm | Attack of the Space Pirates | 10-adult |
| 8:00 pm | Mars: The Ultimate Voyage | 8-adult | |
| 9:00 pm | Taylor Swift Laser concert | 8-adult | |
| Wed., August 21 | 2:30 pm | Space Shapes & Tycho to the Moon | 5-8 |
| 3:30 pm | Lasers for Littles | 3-8 | |
| Thurs., August 22 | 2:30 pm | Space Shapes & Tycho to the Moon | 5-8 |
| 3:30 pm | Lasers for Littles | 3-8 | |
| Fri., August 23 | 7:00 pm | Attack of the Space Pirates | 10-adult |
| 8:00 pm | Mars: The Ultimate Voyage | 8-adult | |
| 9:00 pm | Taylor Swift Laser concert | 8-adult |
| Accidental Astronauts, Wednesdays, August 7, 2:30 pm; Thursdays, August 1, 8, 2:30pm Robo-kids Cy, Annie, and their dog, Armstrong, get a lot more than they expected from their 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! Find new appreciation for the unique beauty of Earth. Journey along with the Accidental Astronauts in this epic dome theater adventure. (Recommended for ages 5-10) |
|
| Laser Kids laser concert, Wednesdays, August 7, 3:30 pm; Thursdays, August 1, 8, 3:30 pm A mix of music with a song list to entertain kids and kids at heart while lasers dance on the dome overhead. Songs include “Bright,” by Echosmith, “YMCA” by the Village People, “Mia” by Bad Bunny, and “Waka Waka” by Shakira. (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
| Space Shapes & Tycho to the Moon, Wednesdays, August 14, 21, 2:30 pm; Thursdays, August 15, 22, 2:30 pm Explore shapes in space: are the Moon and its orbit "round" like a ball or a pancake? Play connect-the-dots with the stars to find triangles and squares and constellations. Then meet Tycho, a dog who doesn’t just howl at the Moon, but wants to go there. Blast off on an amazing ride to learn about night and day, space travel, the Moon, and the Sun. (Recommended for ages 5-8) |
| Lasers for Littles, Wednesdays, August 14, 21, 3:30 pm; August 15, 22, 3:30 pm Our youngest audience members are encouraged to sing along with songs by a variety of artists. Songs in this fun laser concert include “Kalien the Alien” by mr RAY, “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon” from Sesame Street, “Fruit Salad” by The Wiggles, and “Baby Shark.” (Recommended for ages 3-8) |
| Rockin’ Rocket Ride, Friday, August 2, 7:00 pm Put on your space suit and blast-off into outer space to visit the Moon, Sun and planets. A lively experience for young people with selected music from "Journey Into Space" by Jane Murphy. (recommended for ages 3-8) |
| Attack of the Space Pirates, Fridays, August 9, 16, 23, 7:00 pm The crew of the starship 'Intrepid' race across the galaxy in a desperate bid to prevent the space pirates from locating an alien technology so powerful it threatens the fate of the galaxy itself. Can Intrepid's crew solve the science clues that lead to exotic places on foreign planets, defend against the might of the space pirate fleet and rescue the device before the pirates obtain it? (Recommended for ages 10+) |
| Astronomy Tonight, Friday, August 2, 8:00 p.m. Using the Planetarium’s DigitalSky digital theater, experience a guided tour of the night sky. Learn about some of the popular constellations visible from sunset to sunrise, as well as the stories behind them. Hear about how and where in the sky to find the brightest planets. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 8 to adult) |
|
| Mars: The Ultimate Voyage, Fridays, August 9, 16, 23, 8:00 pm This planetarium show is produced by the Bell Museum, in partnership with NASA and UNC Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 8 to adult) |
| Led Zeppelin laser concert, Fridays, August 2, 9, 9:00 pm This classic laser concert features the group’s hit songs “When the Levy Breaks,” “Stairway to Heaven,” and “Houses of the Holy.” |
| Taylor Swift laser concert, Fridays, August 16, 23, 9:00 pm Calling all Swifties! Sing along to some of Taylor’s hit songs like “All Too Well,” “Blank Space,” and “Anti-Hero.” |
September 2024
Cost: $10 for one show, $18 for two shows back to back
908-231-8805
September Planetarium Shows
| Date | Time | Show | Ages |
| Sat., Sept. 7 | 3:00 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 4:00 pm | Laser Kids | 6-12 | |
| 5:00 pm | The Sky Above *sensory-friendly | All ages | |
| 7:00 pm | Astronomy Tonight | 8-12 | |
| 8:00 pm | Best of Pink Floyd laser concert | 10-adult | |
| Sat., Sept. 14 | 3:00 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 4:00 pm | Laser Kids | 6-12 | |
| 7:00 pm | Black Holes | 8-adult | |
| 8:00 pm | Best of Pink Floyd laser concert | 10-adult | |
| Sat., Sept. 21 | 3:00 pm | Rockin’ Rocket Ride | 3-8 |
| 4:00 pm | Lasers for Littles | 3-8 | |
| 7:00 pm | Mayan Archeoastronomy | 10-adult | |
| 8:00 pm | Best of Pink Floyd laser concert | 10-adult |
| Perfect Little Planet, Saturdays, September 7, 14, 3:00 pm A family from another star system is seeking the perfect vacation spot. Fly over the surface of Pluto, our best known dwarf planet; sail through the rings of Saturn; feel Jupiter’s lightning storms; and walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination will they choose? (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
|
| Rockin’ Rocket Ride, Saturday, September 21, 3:00 pm Put on your space suit and blast-off into outer space to visit the Moon, Sun and planets. A lively experience for young people with selected music from "Journey Into Space" by Jane Murphy. (recommended for ages 3-8) |
| Laser Kids laser concert, Saturdays, September 7, 14, 4:00 pm A mix of music with a song list to entertain kids and kids at heart while lasers dance on the dome overhead. Songs include “Bright,” by Echosmith, “YMCA” by the Village People, “Mia” by Bad Bunny, and “Waka Waka” by Shakira. (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
|
| Lasers for Littles, Saturday, August 21, 4:00 pm Our youngest audience members are encouraged to sing along with songs by a variety of artists. Songs in this fun laser concert include “Kalien the Alien” by mr RAY, “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon” from Sesame Street, “Fruit Salad” by The Wiggles, and “Baby Shark.” (Recommended for ages 3-8) |
|
| Astronomy Tonight, Saturday, September 7, 7:00 p.m. Using the Planetarium’s DigitalSky digital theater, experience a guided tour of the night sky. Learn about some of the popular constellations visible from sunset to sunrise, as well as the stories behind them. Hear about how and where in the sky to find the brightest planets. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 8 to adult) |
| Black Holes, Saturday, September 14, 7:00 pm “Black Holes” takes audience members on a journey through one of the most mystifying, awe-inspiring phenomena in the universe: a black hole. Take a virtual tour through space and explore the science and mystery of black holes: Where do they come from? How do we find them? Is there one on Earth’s horizon? (Recommended for ages 8 to adult) |
| Mayan Archeoastronomy, Saturday, September 21, 7:00 pm 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. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) |
| Best of Pink Floyd laser concert, Saturdays, September 7, 14, 21, 8:00 pm Lasers dance across the Planetarium’s dome, accompanied by Pink Floyd songs including “Comfortably Numb,” “Another Brick in the Wall, part 2,” and “Money.” |
