Morrison Planetarium is the largest all-digital planetarium in the world. State-of-the-art projector and software technologies allow the planetarium to produce the most accurate and interactive digital Universe ever created.

About the Dome

The Morrison Planetarium is the largest all-digital dome in the world with a 75-foot diameter projection screen tilted at a 30 degree angle. Thanks to immersive video technology, the dome seems to disappear when imagery is projected onto it, creating an experience more like flying than watching a movie. The planetarium relies on scientific data to depict current discoveries with unprecedented accuracy. It also has the flexibility to present a wide variety of programming that is both educational and entertaining. Traditional star shows will be supplemented by live “tours of the Universe,” and programming will include live NASA feeds as well as broadcasts from Academy scientists in the field.

Journey to the Stars

In the new Morrison’s second show, travel through time and space to experience the dramatic lives and deaths of stars. Witness brilliant supernova explosions, dive into the heart of the fiery Sun, and watch it transform into a red giant five billion years in the future. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, Journey will help you discover the deep-rooted connection between humanity and the stars. The Planetarium is very popular and tickets are handed out on a first come first serve basis. Please visit the kiosk at the planetarium entrance to select your show time. Please note that the planetarium show takes place in a darkened environment, with imagery and sounds that some children may find disorienting. For these reasons, we strongly discourage entry for children under the age of seven. Children 3 and under are not permitted. Journey to the Stars was developed by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org) in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences as well as GOTO INC., Tokyo, Japan; Papalote Museo del Niño, Mexico City, Mexico; and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C. The show was created with the major support and partnership of NASA, Science Mission Directorate, Heliophysics Division.

Fragile Planet

Note: Fragile Planet is shown at the Academy’s weekly NightLife events (ages 21+). It is not shown during the daytime. The Academy’s inaugural planetarium show, Fragile Planet, reveals how special Earth really is by taking visitors on a 30-minute round trip to the outer reaches of the universe. Visitors begin their voyage at the Academy, lift off through the atmosphere to gain an astronaut’s view of Earth, then travel to the Moon, Mars, and beyond to search for habitats that might host extraterrestrial life. Narrated by Sigourney Weaver and interwoven with talks by a live presenter, Fragile Planet will redefine your sense of “home.” Download the show’s credits »

Location

The new 90-foot-diameter Morrison dome is cantilevered out over the aquarium's Philippine Coral Reef tank.

Academy Floor Plan »

Journey to the Stars Showtimes

• Monday - Friday: Every hour on the half hour, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm.
• Saturdays: Every 45 minutes, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm.
• Sundays: Every 45 minutes, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm, with the 10:30 am show exclusively for members.

Visit the kiosks at the planetarium entrance to select your show times.

Who's Talking?

The Academy hosts an ongoing series of lectures by leading experts on astronomy.

View the Benjamin Dean Lecture schedule »

2009 Pocket Almanac

Download our skywatching guide for 2009. Find out the dates for the six eclipses. Five planets can be seen with the unaided eye. Do you know which ones? Get this information and more (major meteor showers and the seasons and the sun).

Download now »

Explore Science

Take a Sky Tour with an Academy astronomer - one of numerous Academy podcasts.

What happened to Pluto? Catch up on the latest in astronomy and astrobiology.