Gladwin Planetarium

Ongoing

Inside our theater, the stars are always out. Our expert Astronomy Programs presenters are ready to answer your questions during interactive live presentations. Get to know the stars of Santa Barbara, the universe, and the wonders of space. Our Evans & Sutherland Digistar 7 dual-projection system with 4K resolution allows us to provide exciting, immersive educational adventures. Members enjoy quarterly shows on special topics after hours. The planetarium is not ADA accessible; visit our accessibility page for more information. 

Planetarium tickets are free with admission (and admission is free for Members). Tickets are available at the planetarium 20 minutes before the showtime. We recommend coming early to ensure a ticket, and seating is first come, first served. No late entry is granted. 

Visiting on Halloween? Check out our special shows at noon and 3:00 PM. Planning a visit further out? Jump to our schedules for December 20–January 5 or January 6–March 20.

Show Schedule September 9–December 19

Weekdays  

  • 1:30 PM – Exploring Tonight's Sky
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara this season, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This live show includes a Q&A with the presenter.

Weekends 

  • 11:00 AM – The Night Sky for Little Dippers
    (recommended for all ages; 15 minutes)

    This 15-minute presentation is targeted at young audiences with different topics at every show. Come back again and again with your little one to build up their enthusiasm and excitement for space!

  • 12:00 PM – Who's Afraid of Black Holes?
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Explore the most terrifying objects in the galaxy! How much should you fear these vacuum-sucking space monsters? Must we be scared of black holes, or do they just get a bad rap, like sharks? This live show includes a Q&A with the presenter.

  • 2:00 PM – El Borde de la Oscuridad
    (se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 30 minutos)

    Película en español con subtítulos en inglés
    Spanish-language movie with English subtitles

    Explora escenas asombrosas de cometas y asteroides recopiladas por misiones espaciales, mientras viajamos a los enormes acantilados del cometa 67P, las brillantes "luces" en Ceres, y la primera vista de cerca del planeta enano binario Plutón/Caronte y sus lunas.

  • 3:00 PM – Exploring Tonight's Sky 
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara this season, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This live presentation includes a Q&A with the presenter.

Show Schedule December 20–January 5

  • 11:00 AM – The Night Sky for Little Dippers
    (recommended for all ages; 15 minutes)

    This 15-minute presentation is targeted at young audiences with different topics at every show. Come back again and again with your little one to build up their enthusiasm and excitement for space!

  • 12:00 PM – Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 26 minutes)

    Ever wondered what it will take for astronauts to travel to the Moon, Mars and beyond? On this long journey, what challenges will astronauts face? How will they stay motivated and healthy on their spacecraft so far away from Earth? Mars: The Ultimate Voyage explores these questions and more!

    The work for the original planetarium production was funded by a NASA Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) Award 80NSSC20M0028 to the Bell Museum through the Regents of the University of Minnesota.

  • 1:00 PM – Exploring Tonight's Sky
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara this season, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This live presentation includes a Q&A with the presenter.

Show Schedule January 6–March 20

Weekdays  

  • 1:30 PM – Exploring Tonight's Sky
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara this season, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This live show includes a Q&A with the presenter.

Weekends 

  • 11:00 AM – The Night Sky for Little Dippers
    (recommended for all ages; 15 minutes)

    This 15-minute presentation is targeted at young audiences with different topics at every show. Come back again and again with your little one to build up their enthusiasm and excitement for space!

  • 12:00 PM – Cosmic Origins
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    How did the universe go from a hot, dense explosion to the breathtaking cosmos that we see today? Let’s journey through time, from the fiery birth in the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies, stars, and eventually, our own solar system. This live show includes a Q&A with the presenter.

  • 2:00 PM – Marte: El Viaje Definitivo
    (se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 26 minutos)

    Película en español con subtítulos en inglés
    Spanish-language movie with English subtitles

    ¿Alguna vez te has preguntado qué se necesitará para que los astronautas viajen a la Luna, Marte y más allá? En este largo viaje, ¿qué desafíos enfrentarán los astronautas? ¿Cómo se mantendrán motivados y saludables a bordo de su nave espacial, tan lejos de la Tierra? Marte: El viaje definitivo (Mars: The Ultimate Voyage), explora estas preguntas y muchas más.

    El trabajo para esta producción original de planetario fue financiado por una subvención NASA Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) (Premio 80NSSC20M0028), otorgada al Bell Museum a través de la Junta de Regentes de la Universidad de Minnesota.

  • 3:00 PM – Exploring Tonight's Sky
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara this season, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This live presentation includes a Q&A with the presenter.

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