Planetarium

Dark Side of the Moon is BACK!

The lease for DSotM ends mid-Oct.  This show has been a huge success in Fayetteville, with many shows selling out!  Thank you!

We have added select Thu dates and Fri 8:00 shows to help meet the demand.

Tickets ($10 & fees)

2026 Space Camp

The 2026 Space Camp is now closed.  Check back for information later.

Scholarships for the 2026 Space Camp have been provided by the Cumberland Community Foundation. Thank you CCF!

Lunar Eclipse coming

While the Thu, Aug 27 eclipse is "only" a partial eclipse, it covers most of the Moon. The eclipse starts at 9:23 PM, and we WILL be offering an event to watch it, weather permitting.  Check back for details.  The next noticable lunal eclipse will be in 2029.

Sandhills Astronomy Club

With the reopening of the FSU Observatory, we are restarting the Sandhills Astronomy Club.  Our inaugural meeting will be Aug 27 at 8:00 PM in the Planetarium, followed by the eclipse.

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 science shows are live with an astronomer. Come with questions about the Universe!

Ticket links below 

      • Aug 22, 2026 7:00 PM
        • Show: Learn About Luna
        • Rating: E
      • Aug 27, 2026  9:00 PM (Thu) Lunar Eclipse! (free)

        Check back for Fall show dates.

      Show Rating

      • E: All Ages
      • T: Technical - teens and adults
      • E/T: Older children, teens and adult

      School visits to the Planetarium will be available for 2025-26. Call (910) 672-1759 or (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 for Sat shows are $5 for adults and $3 for children 2-18.

       

       

      Saturday afternoon STEAM Team

      The Fall 2026 Sat STEAM Team will resume in late Aug. Check back for dates.  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! We are awaiting news about the install date for the new, 0.5 m telescope.

      The Sandhills Astronomy Club will be restarted in Aug 2026.  Club members will be able to operate the new Observatory.  Meeting dates to be announced soon.

      For information contact Mr. Kabbes at: jkabbes@uncfsu.edu

      REEF

      The REEF is closed at this time.

      Directions to Planetarium

      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.

      Planetarium Map Planetarium Entrance
      Campus Map Planetarium Entrance
      Walkway to Planetarium
      Walkway to Planetarium

      Summer Space Camp

      2026 Summer Space Camp - comming soon!

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      School visits / field trips

      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.

      Aquarium / REEF

      The REEF is closed indefinitely.

      Large groups

      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.

      Meditation Under the Stars

      The Planetarium has reopened, but we need staffing to be open for Meditation times.