The SUNY Oneonta planetarium operates the Evans & Sutherland Digistar 6 system- one of the world's most advanced fulldome digital theater systems! It features a digital projector capable of bringing you sharp views of the stars, planets, and constellations visible in the night sky. Additionally, the system can show full dome movies and animations, providing you with a complete planetarium show experience.
The planetarium is used in a variety of science classes across campus, and offers a fun and enriching experience for all students. Are you a student interested in learning more about the planetarium? Join the Nebula Society! This student-run organization designs and runs shows for the campus community, and all majors are welcome!
Planetarium shows for the general public and school groups are also available during the school year. See below for our current show schedule.
Fall 2024 Public Planetarium Shows
The SUNY Oneonta planetarium offers family-friendly shows for the public on Friday nights and Saturdays throughout the Fall 2024 semester.
Tickets are $3 per person per show and can be purchased online by clicking the date below you wish to attend. This small fee helps us offset the increasing cost of planetarium maintenance and allow us to offer the highly requested Saturday shows.
Please arrive 10 minutes early as doors close promptly at showtime.
Show Schedule and Topics
Friday Nights
Join us for a tour of the night sky present by SUNY Oneonta faculty on Friday nights! This 45 min show will be a live presentation of constellations visible in the night sky for the current season and will also highlight current events related to Astronomy. Shows start promptly at 7pm.
Tickets for all shows can be purchased online by clicking the date you wish to attend:
Winter Night Sky Preview
Saturday Mornings
On Saturday mornings in October - December we will offer two family-friendly 45-minute planetarium shows. Starting in October, we will be featuring a new digital show created SUNY Oneonta graduate student and planetarium intern Mackenzie Sadler called: Betelgeuse's Galactic Vacation: An Alien's Search for Planets! Show details and links to purchase tickets are below.
November - December Shows
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Betelgeuse's Galactic Vacation: An Alien's Search for Planets!
Join our friend Betelgeuse, an alien from the Andromeda Galaxy as he searches for a planet in the Milky Way for vacation! This family friendly show explores different exoplanets and what makes a place suitable for life. (Best for ages 5 and up)
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: The Sky Tonight
This 45 minute live tour of the night sky showcases the constellations visible in the sky tonight and takes you on a journey through our Solar System and beyond. (Best for all ages)
- Lap children 2 and under do not require a ticket. Tickets are non-refundable unless shows are cancelled due to weather. Doors close right at showtime, so please arrive 15 minutes early.
- Ticket fees only apply to the shows listed above. They do not apply to student events, college admission/alumni events, or school field trips. Please contact the Science Discovery Center with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Planetarium shows kid-friendly?
Yes! All of our planetarium shows are designed for the general public. Suggested age ranges for each show are listed with the show description.
Can Planetarium show tickets be purchased at the door?
Planetarium show tickets must be purchased online. You can stop by or call the Science Discovery Center before a show for ticket assistance, if needed.
The show is sold out! If I show up, can I still get a seat?
No. Our planetarium has strict capacity restrictions. Please purchase a ticket for a future show.
I bought tickets but I can no longer come to the show. Can I get a refund?
Tickets are non-refundable, but they are transferable! Please feel free to donate your tickets to another family if you cannot attend the show.
School, Community and Private Groups
We regularly host educational groups from preschool through high school for planetarium shows that supplement in-class instructional units and also offer private planetarium shows.
Learn more about field trip and group visit opportunities
Contact
If you have questions about the planetarium, please contact:
A.J. Read Science Discovery Center
607-436-2011
sdc@oneonta.edu
Dr. Josh Nollenberg
Joshua.Nollenberg@oneonta.edu
Dr. Valerie Rapson
Valerie.Rapson@Oneonta.edu