Planetarium

School / Group Visits

Please refer to Parking Information in the right-hand section for information about parking.

Dark Side of the Moon - thank you!

Thank you to all the visitors that made DSotM such a success!  We sold 3285 tickets during the run.  WOW.

Sandhills Astronomy Club

The Sandhills Astronomy Club meets on the third Thursday of each month from 8-9 pm in the FSU Planetarium.  Next meeting is Nov 19.  We plan to operate the temporary telescope during the meeting.  

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 (Spring semester coming soon)

      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 2026-27. 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. 

      Space Camp

      The 2026 Space Camp was a hit again.  See the Space Camp page.

      Eight scholarships for the 2026 Space Camp were provided by the Cumberland Community Foundation. Thank you CCF for helping inspire students!

      Saturday afternoon STEAM Team

      The Fall 2026 Sat STEAM Team resumed in late Aug.  We will take a break after the Dec 5 session, and resume in mid-Jan.  Students in grades 7-12 meet Sat afternoons (every other week) from 2-4 PM in Lyons Science, room 117.  Check Sat shows above for STEAM Team dates.   

      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! Our 12" temporary system with an 8 MP color camera will be operational Nov-Dec and the new, 0.5 m telescope should be installed in early Jan.  It will have a 100 MP camera and a fiber-fed spectrometer.  Serious Science!

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

      REEF & ANTS

      The REEF aquarium is being renovated this fall.  The new ANTS facility (bug lab) will be available late fall 2026 as well.  These will offer unique learning opportunities for our student visitors.

      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

      2027 Summer Space Camp - coming in spring!

       

      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.

      There is a 20 person, $100 minimum.

      Funds cover the burn time on the projectors.

      Aquarium / REEF / ANTS

      The REEF is being renovated.  The new ANTS / Entomology lab will be completed soon.  These will offer additional learning opportunities for students during their visit to FSU.

      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.