New experiences for children, adults and lifelong learners
Guests to the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) Strasenburgh Planetarium have the opportunity to discover the latest news from NASA in visually stunning shows as well as other inspiring experiences this fall. New star shows include Planet Spectacular for ages five to eight, opening September 3, and Secrets of Jupiter for older children and adults opening October 1. These shows join other favorites. In addition, a new season of Astronomy for Adults on select Wednesday afternoons starts October 5. From giant-screen films and laser shows, to cutting-edge star shows and afternoon adult astronomy sessions, a variety of experiences involving the wonders of the universe are available. Details are included below:
STAR SHOWS
Adults: $7; Seniors and college students with ID: $6; Ages 3-18: $6; RMSC Members: Free
Planet Spectacular
New Opens September 3 – For ages 5 to 8 – See the best photos of our solar system from NASA space probes and the world’s observatories. Then let “Carl” the star projector create a realistic indoor sky for a tour of planets and constellations visible this month.
Secrets of Jupiter
New Opens October 1 – For older children and adults –NASA’s Juno space probe is now orbiting Jupiter, to find out what’s beneath Jupiter’s colorful cloud belts, and what Jupiter can tell us about how planets form. Meanwhile, the Great Red Spot is mysteriously shrinking, and NASA is working on a mission to the ice moon Europa. In the second half of the show, the Planetarium’s giant star projector rises into action, and an expert presenter conducts a live tour of stars, constellations and planets of the current sky.
Other Worlds Like Ours
Closes September 24 – For older children and adults – Are there solar systems around other stars? Do these systems have planets like Earth? Real discoveries are pouring in. We seem closer than ever to finding a planet like Earth. In the second half of the show, the Planetarium’s giant star projector rises into action, and an expert presenter conducts a live tour of stars, constellations and planets of the current sky.
Animals in the Sky
Now playing – For ages 2 to 5 – Take a seat in the Star Theater and find animal shapes in the clouds in the indoor sky. Then “Carl,” the friendly star projector, shows us animal constellations among the stars of the night sky, including dogs, a swan, an eagle, a lion and a whale! Finally, take an imaginary trip to the moon.
The Sky Tonight
Now playing – For all ages – Solid-state lasers guide you through the magnificent Planetarium starfield. Take a concise tour of the stars, constellations and planets in the current sky.
LASER SHOWS
Saturday Night Laser – for Adults: $7 for one show/$11 for both, back-to-back – Brilliant laser patterns dance to classic rock music on the Planetarium’s great sound system on Saturday nights.
at 8:15pm and 90s Laser at 9:30pm
at 8:15pm and The Beatles in Laser Light at 9:30pm
at 8:15pm and Dave Matthews Laser at 9:30pm
Sponsored by City Newspaper. For adults and young adults. Children under 5 not admitted.
Holiday Laser
Opens November 19 – For all ages – Adults $7; Seniors, college students with ID $6, students ages 3–18 $6, and RMSC members $6 –A Rochester traditional favorite returns the weekend before Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season. A mix of festive holiday music from classical and pop traditions accompanies unique visual effects and choreographed laser light among the Planetarium stars. Solid-state lasers bring bright and intense color.
ASTRONOMY FOR ADULTS
Adults: $7; Seniors 62+ or group members $6; RMSC Members: $5
Starts October 5 – For adult lifelong learners, a series of stimulating Wednesday afternoon programs blending science, history and the arts. Each session also includes a tour of currently visible stars, planets and constellations. Not intended for children. Visit www.rmsc.org for dates and topics.
GIANT-SCREEN FILMS
Adults: $7; Seniors and college students with ID: $6; Ages 3-18: $6; RMSC Members: $3
To Fly!
Now playing – For all ages – Find thrill in a classic journey through the history of flight, from early balloon flights to 20th-century space missions. This film was produced in 1976 for the opening of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, where it still inspires crowds daily.
FREE TELESCOPE VIEWING
Clear Saturday Nights from dark–10pm – Climb 60 steps at the back of the planetarium to view the sky through telescopes operated by knowledgeable volunteers from the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science (ASRAS), the leading local astronomy club. Call ahead 585.697.1945.
FREE PRE-HOLIDAY TELESCOPE DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, November 12: 10am to 1:30pm – Planetarium lobby – What kind of telescope should I buy as a gift? How much will it cost? What can I expect to see with it? Ask these and other questions at this annual event. Knowledgeable volunteers from the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science (ASRAS), the leading local astronomy club, will set up various telescopes in the lobby and stand by to answer questions.
Planetarium show schedule
Contact Amanda Bayer, Marketing Communications Manager, 585.697.1962
Press News
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top three most visited attractions serving children and families. For more information about RMSC, visit www.rmsc.org.
