The WVU Planetarium is re-opening for in-person shows mid-July! All visitors must follow WVU Safety Guidelines and wear a mask if unvaccinated. If you have any questions or concerns please
email planetarium@mail.wvu.edu.
PUBLIC Shows
All shows are free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Our shows last approximately 45-60 minutes. This includes a 15-20 minute introduction simulating what's up in the sky tonight and/or discussion of a topic relevant to the film, then we play one of our 20-40 minute full dome feature films and answer your burning questions! After the show, our telescope assistants invite you to the rooftop telescope for live viewing of the night sky, weather permitting. Check out our Plan Your Visit page for information about parking and accessibility.
| Date | Show and Intended Audience | Time | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday, June 30th (Virtual) |
Summer Constellations and Dinosaurs! presented by our new Planetarium Staff member Tim. For first show of the Summer will revisit a fan-favorite. What’s up in the sky tonight, and what are some cool objects and constellations we can learn about? After that, we’ll share an exciting movie we normally don’t get to show in the full dome: Dinosaurs At Dusk! |
6:30 PM |
This show already occurred |
|
Wednesday, July 7th (Virtual) |
Kinder Climate Change in the Mountain State presented by WV SPOT Ambassadors. This Kindergarten-level presentation about climate change will be delivered by the WV SPOT Ambassadors. Journey through Earth’s atmosphere to understand how greenhouse gases keep Earth warm like a cozy blanket. But, what happens when we have too many blankets? What can we do right here in West Virginia to protect Earth from getting too hot? |
6:30 PM |
This show already occurred |
| Friday, July 16th (In person!) |
From Earth to the Universe (Trailer) Grades 9+ The night sky, both beautiful and mysterious, has been the subject of campfire stories, ancient myths and awe for as long as there have been people. A desire to comprehend the Universe may well be humanity’s oldest shared intellectual experience. Yet only recently have we truly begun to grasp our place in the vast cosmos. To learn about this journey of celestial discovery, from the theories of the ancient Greek astronomers to today’s grandest telescopes, we invite you to experience From Earth to the Universe. |
6:30 PM |
This show already occurred |
|
Friday, July 23rd (In person!) |
Solar Superstorms (Trailer) Grades 5+ A fury is building on the surface of the Sun – high-velocity jets, a fiery tsunami wave that reaches 100,000 kilometers high, rising loops of electrified gas. What's driving these strange phenomena? How will they affect planet Earth? Find the answers as we venture into the seething interior of our star. |
6:30 PM |
Register below (6/60 seats available) |
|
Friday, July 30th (In person!) |
Secrets of Gravity (children's show) (Trailer) Grades 3+ Why do things fall to the ground without magic? The young magician’s apprentice Limbradur is far more interested in the universe and its secrets than boring magic spells. He is fascinated by the stars, the universe and the laws of nature. So, one night he sneaks into the Albert Einstein Museum, where he meets ALBYX3, a small, clever but rather quirky robot who knows all about Albert Einstein and his theories. Alby takes Limbradur on a magical journey of discovery through time and space, during which they not only uncover the secrets of gravity but also learn much about friendship and imagination. For Limbradur and Alby both have secrets of their own. |
6:30 PM |
Register below (54/60 seats available) |
| Friday, July 30th (In person!) |
Black Holes (Trailer) Grades 5+ Few mysteries in the universe have the power and awe of the black hole. Where do they come from? How do we find them? Is there one on Earth's horizon? Black Holes takes you on a journey through one of the most mystifying, awe-inspiring phenomena in the universe: a black hole. |
7:30 PM |
Registration full! |
| Friday, August 6th (In person!) |
Earth, Moon & Sun (children's show) (Trailer) Grades K-6 Learn why the Sun rises and sets, examine the Moon’s orbit, craters, phases and eclipses, and explore past and future space travel to the Moon and beyond with the help of Coyote, an amusing character adapted from Native American oral traditions, who has many misconceptions about Earth and its neighbors. |
6:30 PM |
Register below (34/60 seats available) |
| Friday, August 6th (In person!) |
Dynamic Earth (Trailer) Grades 9+ Now in 150 planetariums worldwide, Dynamic Earth explores the inner workings of Earth’s great life support system: the global climate. With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations, this cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the Sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere, oceans, and the biosphere. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes. |
7:30 PM |
Register below (43/60 seats available) |