Today’s going to be hot, so what better way to beat the heat then take the kids to a cool, dark planetarium?
Planetariums allow visitors to study the sky under ideal conditions and learn more about stars and other celestial bodies. Foster your little one’s interest in astronomy with a trip to a nearby planetarium.
Planetariums in the Baltiomre/Washington area
Albert Einstein Planetarium at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
Showing today are “Dark Universe” and “Journey to the Stars.”
“Dark Universe” examines the invisible dark matter underlying galaxies that, together with dark energy, accounts for 95 percent of the universe’s total energy and mass. Shows on the half hour starting at 11:30 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m.
In “Journey to the Stars” witness the life and death of stars in our sky, including our own sun. Extraordinary images captured by telescopes on Earth and in space, combined with stunning never-before-seen images of physics-based simulations, will launch you through time and space for an incredible trek through our night sky. Tour stellar formations, explore new celestial mysteries and discover the fascinating story that connects us all to the stars. Shows on the hour starting at 11 a.m. with the last show at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $9 for adults and $7.50 for youth. For details visit the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum website.
Davis Planetarium at the Maryland Science Center, Baltimore
Free with admission of $15.95-$18.95
There are five different shows offered throughout the week, including “One World One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” for little kids, “The Universe Live!” and “To Space & Back.”
Kids will love an imaginary adventure from Sesame Street to the moon in “One World One Sky” showing at noon every day but Saturday. In “The Universe Live!” the planetarium becomes a “spaceship” on a journey past our nightly canopy of stars. Shows are at 2 p.m. daily except Saturdays. In “To Space & Back” take a journey from the far reaches of our known universe tour own planet. Shows are at 4 p.m. daily except Saturday.
For information on specific shows or to order tickets, visit the Maryland Science Center website.
Robinson Nature Center NatureSphere, Columbia
Admission adults $5, children $3, under 3 free.
The NatureSphere is a digital planetarium and dome-style theater with programs and movies. There is an array of features with showings for families on Wednesdays in the summer at 10:30 a.m., 2 and 2:30 p.m. starting June 25. Tickets are $2 for those who register and $3 the day of the show. There are also Family Fridays at the NatureSphere at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. for ages 5 and up. Tickets are $6 per person. The program features a full-dome movie followed by a planetarium presentation.
Check the Robinson Nature Center website for details.
Check out more fun family happenings in our complete events calendar.
