Holiday Program
Full-Dome Planetarium Film, Hands-On Activities, and Stargazing
Friday, December 17, 2021 AND
Saturday, December 18, 2021
4:00PM - 7:00PM
Film Showtimes: 4:00PM, 4:45PM, 5:30PM, and 6:15PM
Hands-On Activities and Stargazing: 4:00PM-7:00PM
Be our first public audience to watch the new full-dome film, Big Astronomy, in the Framingham State Planetarium. Showtimes at 4:00pm, 4:45pm, 5:30pm, and 6:15pm!
During Big Astronomy, explore world-class observatories, learn why Chile is an ideal environment for astronomy, and meet some of the diverse people who make discoveries possible!
Do Webb-themed crafts and activities to learn about the largest, most powerful and complex space-based telescope ever built: the James Webb Space Telescope!
Weather permitting, observe our night sky with telescopes while amateur astronomers are available to answer all of your questions! See the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn like you've never seen them before! An alternative activity will be available inside if it is cloudy or raining.
Take your family’s holiday photos with our life-size replica of Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit!
About Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries:
Big Astronomy is an exciting new planetarium show that shares the story of the people and places who make big astronomy and big science happen. A great deal of astronomy is done in Chile, and the nation is one of the best places in the world for observational astronomy. The show takes you to three of the many telescopes at extreme and remote places along Chile’s mountains. All of the people we meet in the show come from different backgrounds, with many different talents and skills to contribute. See the multitude of STEM careers needed to keep the great observatories working! Watch the Trailer
The show is narrated by Barbara Rojas-Ayala, a Chilean astronomer. It was produced by the California Academy of Sciences.
Cost: $5 per individual participant.
First, click on the “Purchase Tickets” button on this page. Next, locate the date/time and name of your preferred program from the list and click on its registration button. Contact cmc@framingham.edu with any questions.
PARKING:
Parking will be available in the Adams Road, Maynard Road, or Salem End Road Parking Lots. Please do not try to park in the O’Connor Lot by the McAuliffe Center as we will be having telescopes and stargazing set up outside. Once parked, follow the signs to the McAuliffe Center.
GENERAL POLICIES:
Masks are required for all.
Cell phones must be silenced - use of phones for any purpose is not permitted during planetarium programs.
No strollers are allowed in the McAuliffe Center/FSU Planetarium.
No food or drink is allowed in the McAuliffe Center/FSU Planetarium.