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Department of Physics

Public Shows

For up-to-the-minute information about ISU Planetarium offerings, contact the Planetarium skyline day or night at (309) 438-5007.

Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

  • The ISU Planetarium is pleased to offer: Out There – The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds

    The Illinois State University Planetarium will present  Out There – The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds,  running weekends September 8 through November 11.  Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays.  There are no presentations September 15-23 - please see below for our special presentation of Laser Fantasy Show on these dates.  There are no presentations on October 27-28.

    “Out There – The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds”  explores how our curiosity has driven us to look outwards since the dawn of humanity.  Today we are discovering new and distant worlds with the hope of finding extraordinary forms of life beyond imagination.

    After each program, we point out highlights found in the current evening sky; including the bright stars, constellations, and planets visible from Central Illinois.

  • Free parking for the Planetarium’s weekend programs is available a short distance from the ISU Planetarium in the University’s red tag F-67 parking lot, located on the east side of School Street.  Parking for weekday programs is available in the Bone Student Center lot located off Locust Street.  The Planetarium is located on the opposite side of the student center across College Avenue.

    For more information, please call the ISU Physics Department at (309) 438-8756 or Planetarium Director Tom Willmitch at (309) 438-2496.

  • The ISU Planetarium is pleased to offer online and free: Legends of the Night Sky - Perseus and Andromeda.

    Thank you to Joanne Young and Audio Visual Imagineering for making this show available!

    See Legends of the Night Sky

    Ticket Information

    Tickets are available 20 minutes before each show in the Planetarium gift shop (located next to the Planetarium). Cash or check only.

    • Preschoolers (Ages 3-4): $3
    • Children (Ages 5-12): $4
    • Adults (Ages 13-59): $5
    • Seniors (Ages 60 and up): $4
    • University faculty, staff, and students: $4
    • Planetarium Friends: free