Morrison Planetarium

  • Interior of Morrison Planetarium with guests in audience, photo by John Hartsfield

    The interior of Morrison Planetarium—one of the world's largest all-digital domes.

  • Still from Dark Universe planetarium show with rendering of red shift effect, image courtesy AMNH

    Investigate cosmic mysteries in Dark Universe—now playing. Photo © AMNH

  • Still from Expedition Reef planetarium show with moray eel and coral reef scene

    Dive the "rainforests of the sea" in Expedition Reef—now playing.

  • Artist rendering of Milky Way galaxy from Tour of the Universe live planetarium show

    Journey to the edges of the cosmos in Tour of the Universe—now playing.

  • Kids walk outside the exterior of Morrison Planetarium dome at the Academy

    The planetarium's iconic dome sits adjacent to Reef Lagoon.

Our 75-foot dome will immerse you inside cutting-edge visualizations and hyper-realistic virtual environments. From faraway galaxies to the workings of our own planet, experience the cosmos like never before.

Morrison Planetarium shows are fueled by cutting-edge scientific data, resulting in stunning visualizations of the latest observations, discoveries, and theories about our Universe. Every star, planet, spacecraft, or galaxy a viewer encounters in the planetarium precisely mirrors a real-world counterpart, and when this virtual cosmos is projected onto Morrison’s 75-foot-diameter screen, the dome itself seems to disappear, resulting in a uniquely immersive experience.

For your safety, free reservations are required for all shows and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. View the FAQs below for more information. Please note: Planetarium shows may not be appropriate for children under 7, and we regret that we cannot permit any child under 4.

Now playing!

Explore our current shows below, and view our Daily Calendar for showtimes.

Dark Universe
Investigate two of today’s greatest cosmic mysteries—dark matter and dark energy—in this vast, data-fueled starscape of beauty and wonder. Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Expedition Reef
Learn the secrets of the “rainforests of the sea” as you embark on an oceanic safari of the world’s most vibrant—and endangered—marine ecosystems. Narrated by Lea Salonga.

Tour of the Universe
Discover the immense scale of the known Universe in this exciting live presentation that leaves Earth far behind. Narrated by an Academy presenter. 

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Artist rendering of dwarf planet Pluto

Visit Hohfeld Hall

Hohfeld Hall is a great place to introduce your under-4s to the wonders of the cosmos. Join us on the first floor of the planetarium for "Landscapes of the Solar System," a live, family-friendly, 15-minute program—now playing daily!

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An artist's rendering of the planets of the Solar System

Lecture series

The planetarium welcomes some of the brightest stars in the astronomy world to the stage as part of the Benjamin Dean Astronomy Lecture series.

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A view of the planetarium dome and Reef Lagoon © Tim Griffith 2008

About the dome

Mimicking the tilt of planet Earth, the frame of the dome—composed of 100 percent recycled steel—supports a NanoSeam projection screen that seems to disappear when lit, creating a true-to-life recreation of luminous, faraway space and skies. 

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Hours & location

Morrison Planetarium and Hohfeld Hall are open daily—check out our Daily Calendar for showtime information. Find them on the Main Floor across from the Lab Junior Store.

View on map

Frequently asked questions

We want to make sure you have all the info you need for a safe, stellar experience. Click the + below to expand each FAQ, and email us at info@calacademy.org if you don’t find what you need.

How do I make a reservation?

Reservations are required to attend a planetarium show, and making them is fast and free with your smartphone. When you get to the Academy, keep an eye out for lobby signage with QR codes. Then:

  1. Aim your smartphone camera or QR code reader app at the QR code posted in the lobby or at the entrance to the planetarium
  2. Tap the URL that appears
  3. On the webpage that opens up in your browser, tap your desired show, then your desired showtime
  4. Enter your name, phone number, and size of your party (maximum 8) and confirm your reservation

You’ll receive a text message confirming your reservation and showtime, as well as a reminder 10 minutes before showtime. Please be sure to arrive on time as we may not be able to accommodate latecomers.

There is no charge to make a reservation with your smartphone, but message and data rates may apply depending on your carrier. If no reservations are available, please try again later as additional showtimes are often released throughout the day. Need help making a reservation? Ask any Academy staff member for assistance.

What if there are no showtimes available during my visit?

Reservations for the planetarium are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are a limited number of reservations available per day. We regret that we can’t guarantee the availability of reservations during periods of high demand, especially weekends and holidays, and recommend making your reservations as soon as you arrive for the greatest selection of available timeslots.

If no timeslots are available, please try again later as additional reservations are often released throughout the day, or tune in to a simulcast livestream on YouTube and Facebook every Wednesday at 4:30 pm PT. Please help us maximize timeslot availability by only making reservations that you can keep, and canceling if you can’t make it.

Academy members and donors enjoy priority reservation access at the time of booking—and the freedom to visit all year long. Join today for as low as $99/year.

Seasonal Sky Guides & Pocket Almanac

Our 2023 Pocket Almanac will keep you up-to-date on eclipses, meteor showers, satellite spottings, and more.
2023 Pocket Almanac
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Image of Sputnik 1 from Air and Space Museum
Highlights of the Season: January-March 2023

Morrison Planetarium's quarterly report on meteor showers, space events, and astronomy-related news.

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Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower, 2012 © Mike Lewinski

Skywatcher's Guide: January-March 2023

Know what's up with Morrison Planetarium's Skywatcher's Guide—a quarterly compendium of heavenly happenings.

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Solar system showing relative size of (but not distance between) planets.
Planet Watch: January-March 2023

Keep tabs on our planets with Morrison Planetarium's quarterly guide to planetary activity.

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crab nebula
Universe Update
News, blog posts, and more from Morrison Planetarium and beyond.