Gladwin Planetarium
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.
Planetarium shows are included with admission (and Members are always free), but capacity is limited. Listen for the announcement on the speaker system in our exhibit halls inviting you to line up in front of Space Sciences 5–10 minutes in advance of each show. First come, first served. The planetarium is not ADA accessible; visit our accessibility page for more information. Interested in other astronomy events? Visit our astronomy calendar.
Winter Holiday Schedule: December 14–January 3
Visiting January 4–March 21? Check our our winter schedule.
Weekdays
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12:00 PM – Santa's Starry Ride
(recommended for all ages; 20 minutes)Follow along Santa's journey to celebrate the winter holidays of cultures throughout the world. Learn how Santa's reindeer use the night sky to guide their way through winter during this holiday show.
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12:45 PM – Edge of Darkness
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)Explore amazing scenes of comets and asteroids gathered by key space missions as we journey to the great cliffs on comet 67P, bright "lights" on Ceres, and the first ever close-up look at dwarf-binary planet Pluto/Charon and its moons.
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1:30 PM – Wonders of the Winter Sky
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)Join us for a tour of tonight’s night sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
Weekends
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11:00 AM – Santa's Starry Ride
(recommended for all ages; 20 minutes)Follow along Santa's journey to celebrate the winter holidays of cultures throughout the world. Learn how Santa's reindeer use the night sky to guide their way through winter during this holiday show.
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12:00 PM – Cosmic Neighbors: From Earth to Distant Worlds
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)Is there life beyond Earth? How do the planets in our solar system compare to other worlds? Answer these questions and more during this live show exploring planets and exoplanets. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
-
1:00 PM – Edge of Darkness
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)Explore amazing scenes of comets and asteroids gathered by key space missions as we journey to the great cliffs on comet 67P, bright "lights" on Ceres, and the first ever close-up look at dwarf-binary planet Pluto/Charon and its moons.
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2:00 PM – El Borde de la Oscuridad
(se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 30 minutos)Explora escenas asombrosas de cometas y asteroides recopiladas por misiones especiales 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.
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3:00 PM – Wonders of the Winter Sky
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)Join us for a tour of tonight’s night sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
Winter Schedule: January 4–March 21
Weekdays
-
1:30 PM – Wonders of the Winter 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 tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
Weekends
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11:00 AM – The Night Sky for Little Dippers
(recommended for families with young children; 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!
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12:00 PM – Cosmic Neighbors: From Earth to Distant Worlds
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)Is there life beyond Earth? How do the planets in our solar system compare to other worlds? Answer these questions and more during this live show exploring planets and exoplanets. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
-
1:00 PM – Edge of Darkness
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)Explore amazing scenes of comets and asteroids gathered by key space missions as we journey to the great cliffs on comet 67P, bright "lights" on Ceres, and the first ever close-up look at dwarf-binary planet Pluto/Charon and its moons.
-
2:00 PM – El Borde de la Oscuridad
(se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 30 minutos)Explora escenas asombrosas de cometas y asteroides recopiladas por misiones especiales 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 – Wonders of the Winter Sky
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)Join us for a tour of tonight’s night sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara tonight, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
