Planetarium

Rusty Rocket’s Last Blast

After decades of teaching rocket rookies the basics of rocket physics, Rusty Rocket has decided this will be his last blast, and he already has plans for how he will spend his free time.

Still, there is one final mission to command: an introductory tour of the solar system for a new class of rocket rookies focusing on the wide variety of planetary environments.

Along the way, we learn Rusty is related to every famous spacecraft to explore the solar system. He also emphasizes the immense distances between the planets using cars and jets for comparison.

The show features the voice of “Ranger Doug” Green of the group Riders in the Sky as Rusty Rocket.

The Little Star That Could

The Little Star That Could is the story of Little Star, an average yellow star searching for planets of his own to warm and protect. Along the way he meets other types of stars, learns what makes each star special, and discovers that stars combine to form clusters and galaxies. Eventually, Little Star finds his planets, and each planet is introduced with basic information about our Solar System.

Particularly suitable for children 5 to 11 years of age, yet educational for the whole family……….Teacher Guides Available

Two Small Pieces of Glass

While attending a local star party, two teenage students learn how the telescope has helped us understand our place in space and how telescopes continue to expand our understanding of the Universe. Their conversation with a local female astronomer enlightens them on the history of the telescope and the discoveries these wonderful tools have made. The students see how telescopes work and how the largest observatories in the world use these instruments to explore the mysteries of the universe. While looking through the astronomer's telescope, the students, along with the planetarium audience, explore the Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings, and spiral structure of galaxies. During their conversation with the astronomer, they also learn about the discoveries of Galileo, Huygens, Newton, Hubble and many others. The soundtrack was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra…………Teacher Guide Available

One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure

Explore the night sky with your favorite friends from Sesame Street in One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure. Follow along with Big Bird, Elmo and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, as they take you on a journey of discovery to learn about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun and the Moon.

One World, One Sky is a brilliant spectacle of light and color as the furry friends watch the stars twinkle over Sesame Street. Children attending the show can interact as they watch, drawing constellations and counting the time it takes the sun to set. The show aims to nurture a child's natural sense of wonder about the night sky.

(Made possible through Mill Creek Foundation Grant)

Teacher Guides Available

Bad Astronomy

Were the Apollo visits to the moon actually a hoax?  Have aliens landed on Earth?  Can you tell your future by the stars?  Prepare to debunk and tackle pseudoscience head-on with the new planetarium show Bad Astronomy: Myths and Misconceptions.

Based on the popular book and website of the same name, Bad Astronomy offers a unique and fun approach to learning about the cosmos.  Join the “Bad Astronomer” Phil Plait as he takes a critical look at popular myths and misconceptions to show audiences how science can be used to evaluate questionable claims.

Created by the staff of the Dassault Systemes Planetarium and narrated by WJR-AM’s radio personality Rachel Nevada, Bad Astronomy will interest both new and experienced astronomers of all ages as it examines bad science wherever it can be found.  

(Made possible through generous donation by Dianne Newman in memory of her husband, Eddie Newman)

Magic Tree House: Space Mission

Travel with the brother-sister duo, Jack and Annie in their Magic Tree House® as they proceed to answer the questions left for them in a mysterious note signed “–M.”

The show begins with narration by Mary Pope Osborne, author of the best-selling Magic Tree House® children’s book series. Viewers will find themselves perched high in the trees as Jack and Annie discover the note that asks them to answer a series of six questions about space.

Adventure off with Jack and Annie as they wish themselves to an observatory where they meet up with an astronomer who helps them to answer the first few questions on the note. With the help of the astronomer, the Internet, an astronaut, books and the writer of the mysterious note, Jack and Annie are taken on a wondrous journey of adventure and learning. This exciting voyage will carry visitors to the planets and far out into the Universe where Jack and Annie nearly get… Well, we don’t want to give it away. The adventure is just beginning!                                                     

(Made possible through Mill Creek Foundation grant)

The Alien Who Stole Christmas

Santa is in a flying saucer instead of a sleigh! Will Christmas ever be the same? This show is in two parts: Part 1 is a winter star walk, highlighting the constellations, planets and other celestial sights visible on a long, dark winter's night. The second part is a planetarium fantasy to the tune of "Twas the Night Before Christmas", with a few changes.  Santa finds himself aboard a flying saucer with his alien friend, Mr. Freep. The two visit all of the planets of the solar system to see what children on those planets might like for Christmas. While fictional, the ‘children' provide a fun way to remember what the environment is like on each planet.

Let It Snow!

Celebrate the season with this holiday music experience! Let it Snow  features a variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, and includes a stunning multi-media finale by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The soundtrack is visually enhanced with thematic animation, special effects and all-dome scenery. The 30-minute program is a fun and entertaining experience for audiences of all ages, especially families.

TIMESPACE

Experience TimeSpace, a show that turns the Fulford Planetarium into a time machine! TimeSpace transports audiences across the Universe over 14 billion years to see and experience the Big Bang, the Doom of the Dinosaurs, the sudden appearance of Halley's Comet in the Yucatán Sky, Apollo 11's moon landing and man's first steps on the moon, and a leap into the future to 3001. Each TimeSpace travel story is presented as a destination to be experienced as if you are there.

Earth, Moon and Sun

Explore the relationship between the Earth, Moon, and Sun with the help of Coyote, an amusing character adapted from Native American oral traditions. Native American stories woven throughout the show illustrate how we have long sought to understand our planet and the skies above us.

Coyote has a razor-sharp wit, but he’s a little confused about what he sees in the sky. His confusion about the Universe makes viewers think about how the Earth, Moon, and Sun work together as a system. Discover why the Sun rises and sets, and learn about the basics of fusion and solar energy. Explore the Moon’s orbit, craters, phases, eclipses, and past and future space travel to our Moon and beyond.

Engaging and immersive, Earth, Moon & Sun also examines how humans learn through space exploration.                          

(Made possible through Mill Creek Foundation grant)

Forces of Nature

Witness the awesome power and the unimaginable destruction of explosive volcanoes, ground-buckling earthquakes, and deadly tornadoes as you head into the field with scientists who risk their lives exploring the origins and behaviors of these fearsome natural disasters.

Venture to the brink of an erupting volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat.

Crisscross the Midwest’s infamous Tornado Alley with storm-chasers racing to unlock the secrets of monster twisters.

Discover how the history of massive, city-leveling earthquakes in Turkey is helping scientists predict where and when the next quake will strike. This is a spectacular, up close glimpse of the Earth’s most destructive forces! 

Narrated by Kevin Bacon.

(Made possible through Mill Creek Foundation grant)

The Accidental Astronauts

Follow the adventures of Cy, Annie and Armstrong (Cy's dog), as they embark upon an unexpected journey into space! Armstrong gets the kids into a little trouble with his antics on a field trip to the science center. From there the adventure only grows as the three are whisked into space by a wise-cracking spaceship named Halley.  It's off to the Moon for a little exploring, followed by a visit to the Sun. What wonders will they discover? Will they make it back to Earth? This wonderful adventure show is based on a story by award-winning children’s author Kristyn Crow.

The Accidental Astronauts was created with curriculum specifically designed to suit elementary school standards.

(Made possible through Mill Creek Foundation grant)

Grossology and You

What’s the most important system of the human body — immune, respiratory or digestive? The animated adventure Grossology and You draws a teen-age boy into a lively, colorful, hilarious game show where he encounters host Noreen Neuron and three unusual contestants (rapper Scabby, disco diva Boogie and rocker Flatus). Together, they show him how every system of his body works together to keep him healthy.  Sometimes the process is just a little gross ... and great!

Perfect Little Planet

Greetings Earthlings! We’re on vacation! Imagine you could take the ultimate space vacation — where would you go to find that ideal place?

A family from another star system is doing just that — looking for the perfect vacation spot as they travel through our solar system. Join them and see the solar system from a distinctly different point of view. Soar over the surface of Pluto, our best known Dwarf Planet. Dive down the ice cliffs of Uranus’ moon Miranda at breath-taking speeds. Sail through the beautiful rings of Saturn and dare the ferocious lightning storms on Jupiter. Which destination would you choose? Explore some of the best known sights of our solar system. You’ll feel as though you’re actually there – and best of all, no 3D glasses are required!

A solar system journey for space travelers of all ages.

(Made possible through Mill Creek Foundation grant)

Zula Patrol: Under the Weather

From the far reaches of outer space, from the bright orange planet Zula, comes the Zula Patrol!

Based on the #1-rated NBC Saturday Morning TV series “The Zula Patrol,” the stalwart heroes of the Zula Patrol are on an expedition collecting samples of weather for scientist Multo’s research – using their loyal pet Gorga’s ability to collect and bottle all kinds of weather. When the Zula gang inadvertently hurts Gorga’s feelings, he decides to leave Zula and find another planet to live on. Interplanetary villain, Dark Truder, then tricks Gorga into stealing the weather from other planets – part of his latest nefarious scheme to rule the universe. The ZPers find out and go after him – in the process learning all about weather, both terrestrial and interplanetary.

Fly Me to the Moon

 A space adventure of the third kind… In 1969, three astronauts dared to go where no man had gone before, the Moon. Join Scooter, IQ and Nat – three tweenage flies – who go along on an incredible space adventure and discover the Moon in a new and dramatic way. Fly Me to the Moon introduces new generations to space exploration and the historic moment when the world was united for this awe-inspiring achievement. A family film, the story is voiced by talents, Kelly Ripa, Christopher Lloyd, Nicolette Sheridan, Tim Curry and a live action/animation cameo by real-life Apollo 11 astronaut, Buzz Aldrin. Fly Me to the Moon takes viewers to a place they have never been before.                             

(Made possible through Mill Creek Foundation Grant)

CAPCOM Go! The Apollo Story

Follow the footsteps of history in CAPCOM Go! The Apollo Story, an immersive documentary showcasing what it took to put the first humans on the moon.  

On July 20, 1969, more than 600 million people watched the Apollo 11 landing and witnessed a monumental achievement, broadcasted live from Earth’s only natural satellite. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” said astronaut Neil Armstrong as he walked across the moon. The moment captivated the world, yet few people were aware of the effort it took to reach it. The Apollo 11 astronauts were just two of nearly 400,000 people who worked more than 10 years toward this goal. How did they possibly do it?

In this new show—named CAPCOM for the capsule communicator at mission control—watch the story unfold on the dome, celebrating the explorers, designers, engineers, thinkers, and dreamers of yesterday and inspiring those of tomorrow.

SUNSHINE!

Sunshine is a lovable cartoon sun, and he doesn’t care if children get loud or excited.  In fact, he wants them to look around, raise their hands, sing and play along with his tricks. During the fun and games, the stars of the night sky are revealed, and Sunshine explores some simple colors and counting. A wonderful introduction to the sky for our very young visitors!

Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus & Andromeda

Enjoy the telling of an ancient Greek myth in full-dome animation. Brought to life by animated narrators Aesop, the owl, and Socrates, the mouse, this exciting story brings together the warrior Perseus and Princess Andromeda and shows how these two characters are weaved into the night sky as famous constellations of the fall season, forever turning overhead throughout the seasons.

Magic Globe, A Story of the Seasons

On vacation at her grandpa’s, a little girl named Mia accidentally discovers a mysterious piece of astronomical machinery. Edek, Mia’s eccentric uncle, tricks her into using the tool’s secret powers to change the world’s seasons. She quickly realizes the consequences of what they are going to do, but Edek doesn’t want to let the plan go.

Magic Globe is an engaging story designed to interest and challenge children from 5 to 12 years old. It has a clear educational structure with all science-related topics broken down into manageable chunks and naturally woven into the storyline. It allows children to recap knowledge they already have, as well as learn multiple new concepts while following the story, which makes it perfect for mixed-ability groups.

(Made possible through a Mill Creek Foundation Grant.)