Museum open Wed–Mon, Sea Center open daily; both 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

We Love Astronomy

For more than half a century, we’ve been connecting all ages to the universe by sharing expert astronomy knowledge in fun and meaningful ways.

With adept staff and dedicated volunteers, we’ve offered planetarium shows, free Star Parties, and a wide range of exciting talks and demonstrations (like the comet chef activity pictured above). Thanks to generous donors, Gladwin Planetarium and Palmer Observatory are state-of-the-art educational facilities. This year, we’re upgrading our Space Sciences exhibit for the voyage ahead.

We’re working on an updated version of this exhibit to offer a strong foundation in planetary astronomy, spark curiosity that reaches from our own backyard into outer space, and relay cutting-edge information from NASA and NOAA. Let’s empower all guests to appreciate our planet and its place in the universe! We plan to install the new exhibit January 2025, with a grand opening April 25, 2025.

You can help us launch the next generation of space scientists. Any amount advances us towards our funding goal of $500,000, by small steps or giant leaps!

Click here to donate today, or contact Director of Philanthropy Caroline Baker at cbaker@sbnature2.org or 805-682-4711 ext. 109.

Funds raised: $138,000
Goal: $500,000

Space Sciences Fundraising Graphic

Recognition

Donors who make a gift of $100,000 or more can choose to be recognized prominently in one of the three main exhibit areas, Space from Earth, Earth from Space, or Space Today. Donors of $25,000 to $100,000 can choose to have their name associated with one of the exhibits within the gallery. (A list of exhibit options will be available this summer.) Donors giving $1,000 or more will be recognized in the Space Today exhibit area.

Milestones in Museum Astronomy

   We Love Astronomy      For more than half a century, we’ve been connecting all ages to the universe by sharing expert astronomy knowledge in fun and meaningful ways. With adept staff and dedicated volunteers, we’ve offered planetarium shows, free Star Parties, and a wide range of exciting talks and demonstrations (like the comet chef activity pictured above). Thanks to generous donors, Gladwin Planetarium and Palmer Observatory are state-of-the-art educational facilities. This year, we’re upgrading our Space Sciences exhibit for the voyage ahead.       We’re working on an updated version of this exhibit to offer a strong foundation in planetary astronomy, spark curiosity that reaches from our own backyard into outer space, and relay cutting-edge information from NASA and NOAA. Let’s empower all guests to appreciate our planet and its place in the universe! We plan to install the new exhibit January 2025, with a grand opening April 25, 2025.      You can help us launch the next generation of space scientists. Any amount advances us towards our funding goal of $500,000, by small steps or giant leaps!      Click here to donate today, or contact Director of Philanthropy Caroline Baker at cbaker@sbnature2.org or 805-682-4711 ext. 109.         [insert cool graphic maybe like this that could be planets and fill up as we go]https://cmoekids.org/themes/custom/cmoe2018/assets/images/capital_campaign/meter-desktop-off.png   Funds raised: $60,000		Goal: $500,000      Recognition      Donors who make a gift of $100,000 or more can choose to be recognized prominently in one of the three main exhibit areas, Space from Earth, Earth from Space, or Space Today. Donors of $25,000 to $100,000 can choose to have their name associated with one of the exhibits within the gallery. (A list of exhibit options will be available this summer.) Donors giving $1,000 or more will be recognized in the Space Today exhibit area.      Explore the history of our astronomy facilities         2023 - Gladwin Planetarium receives major operating system and equipment upgrade, including 4K projector         2020 - Gladwin Planetarium full seating upgrade         2015 - Palmer Observatory dome replacement, new telescope and mounting system. Photo by Gary Robinson         Last major space lab updates. Magic planet, Dreier meteorites, E/M spectrum interpretation        2000s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to CRT projector         1990s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to video projector         1980s - Space Lab era retained the original Foucault pendulum and added early interactive computer exhibits      1970s–1980s Gladwin Planetarium era of Spitz A3P “starball” projector         1967 Doris Fay Palmer Observatory established      1957 Gladwin Planetarium (a gift of Mrs. Harold S. Gladwin) established with Spitz optomechanical system

2023 - Gladwin Planetarium receives major operating system and equipment upgrade, including 4K projector

2020 - Gladwin Planetarium full seating upgrade

2020 - Gladwin Planetarium full seating upgrade

2015 - Palmer Observatory dome replacement, new telescope and mounting system. Photo by Gary Robinson

2015 - Palmer Observatory dome replacement, new telescope and mounting system. Photo by Gary Robinson

Last major space lab updates. Magic planet, Dreier meteorites, E/M spectrum interpretation

Last major space lab updates. Magic planet, Dreier meteorites, E/M spectrum interpretation

2000s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to CRT projector

2000s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to CRT projector

1990s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to video projector

1990s - Gladwin Planetarium upgrade to video projector

1980s - Space Lab era retained the original Foucault pendulum and added early interactive computer exhibits

1980s - Space Lab era retained the original Foucault pendulum and added early interactive computer exhibits

1970s–1980s Gladwin Planetarium era of Spitz A3P “starball” projector

1970s–1980s Gladwin Planetarium era of Spitz A3P “starball” projector

1967 Doris Fay Palmer Observatory established

1967 Doris Fay Palmer Observatory established

1957 Gladwin Planetarium (a gift of Mrs. Harold S. Gladwin) established with Spitz optomechanical system