Planetarium
Dark Side of the Moon is BACK!
We have leased DSotM for another year. Starting Jan 9 for the spring semester this amazing show will be offered through the end of June, then returning in Aug.
Tickets:
| Jan 16, 7:00 PM | Jan 23 7:00 PM | Jan 30, 7:00 PM | |
| Feb 6, 7:00 PM | Feb 13, 7:00 PM | Feb 20, 7:00 PM | Feb 27, 7:00 PM |
| Mar 6, 7:00 PM | Mar 20, 7:00 PM | Mar 27, 7:00 PM |
FSU Planetarium - Best in the World
With ten 4K projectors on a cozy 30 foot dome, we put more pixels per square inch on our dome than any other planetarium - in the world! This means crisp, round stars and a beautiful, dark night sky. Join us for an adventure that is out of this world (and out of the galaxy).
At this time ALL of our shows are live with an astronomer. Come with questions about the Universe!
Ticket links below
| Date / Time | Show Title | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 7:00 PM | Solar System Tour - and Beyond | E |
| Feb 07, 2026 7:00 PM | Say NO to Black Holes! | E/T |
| Feb 21, 2026 7:00 PM | Why Explore Space? | E |
| Mar 07, 2026 7:00 PM | Dark Side of the Universe | T |
| Mar 21, 2026 7:00 PM | Deep Sky over Fayetteville | E |
| Apr 11, 2026 7:00 PM | Moons of the Solar System | E |
| Apr 25, 2026 1:00 - 4:00 PM | NC Science Festival (free) | E |
| May 09, 2026 7:00 PM | TBD | |
| May 23, 2026 7:00 PM | TBD | |
| Jun 06, 2026 7:00 PM | TBD | |
| Jun 20, 2026 7:00 PM | TBD |
| Show Rating | |
|---|---|
| E | All ages |
| T | Technical - teens and adults |
| E/T | Older children, teens, and adults |
School visits to the Planetarium will be available for 2025-26. Call 910-672-1SKY to schedule or contact Mr. Kabbes at jkabbes@uncfsu.edu.
In addition to our ten 4K projectors, we have a 6500 watt sound system for an amazing space experience.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 2-18.
Saturday afternoon STEAM Team
The Spring 2026 Sat STEAM Team will resume Jan 24. Students in grades 7-12 meet Sat afternoons (every other week) from 1-3 PM in Lyons Science, room 117.
We explore
- Rockets
- Robots
- Electronics
- Astronomy
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- and more
Our focus areas are Ultra-Low-Powered rockets, Space Exploration, and Astronomy.
Funding for the STEAM Team is provided in part by the Cumberland Community Foundation. For information contact Mr. Kabbes at: jkabbes@uncfsu.edu
FSU Observatory update
The Observatory renovation is nearing completion! In addition to a brand-new, automated dome, we have (finally) installed a computer controlled telescope mount and a high-resolution camera for our temporary, 12" telescope. Computer control integration is next.
The Sandhills Astronomy Club will be restarted in 2026. Club members can learn to operate the new Observatory. Meeting dates to be announced soon.
For information contact Mr. Kabbes at: jkabbes@uncfsu.edu
Summer Space Camp 2025 - success!
The 2025 summer Space Camp was a success. We had a full class of 20 students learning about space exploration.
Scholarships for the 2025 Space Camp were provided by the Cumberland Community Foundation. Thank you CCF!
REEF
The REEF is closed indefinitely.
The Planetarium is at the North end of the Lyons Science Building. The lobby entrance is on the west side. Access from W.T. Brown Drive (main entrance to FSU) is via the walkway between Lyons Science (16 - grey) and Lyons Science Annex (37 - brick). Parking for the Planetarium is across the RR tracks on on the right of W.T. Brown.
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| Campus Map | Planetarium Entrance |
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| Walkway to Planetarium | |
2025 Summer Space Camp - sold out
The FSU Summer Space Camp is for rising 7 to 12th grade students. Supplies and lunches are part of the program.
Campers will have the opportunity to explore science, math and computers in an intense, one-week summer program focused on NASA missions, Rockets and Robots. This camp will allow hands-on exploration of STEM topics and help students develop the tools to solve problems.
Activities include:
- Rocket science
- Robotics
- Astronomy
- Electronics
- Computer Science
School visits / field trips can be arranged by contacting Mr. Kabbes: jkabbes@uncfsu.edu.
School visits are typically available Tue, Thu and Fri mornings.
Group pricing will be $150 for a one hour show up to 65 seats.
Individual pricing will be $5 for adults and $3 for children 2-18. There is a 20 person, $100 minimum.
Funds cover the burn time on the projectors.
The REEF is closed indefinitely.
The Planetarium seats 65 comfortably, but we have a few extra seats we can squeeze in. Larger groups can be divided and switched with the Exploratorium: one group goes to the Exploratorium, the other to the planetarium, and then the groups switch.
Due to staffing issues, large groups are booked only on Fridays.
The Planetarium has reopened, but we need staffing to be open for Meditation times.