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. No late entry is granted. The planetarium is not ADA accessible; visit our accessibility page for more information. Interested in other astronomy events? Visit our astronomy calendar.
Want even more access to the planetarium? Members enjoy monthly shows on special topics after hours.
Winter Schedule: January 4–March 21
Visiting March 8? Our 11:00 show for children will be a special ticketed event, Storytime in the Planetarium with Jeff Bennett! Visiting March 16 during the SoCal Museums Free-For-All? In addition to our normal weekend schedule below, on that day there will be an additional showing of The Night Sky for Little Dippers at 11:30 AM and an additional showing of Wonders of the Winter Sky at 3:30 PM. Visiting March 22 or later? Check our spring schedule.
Weekdays
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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 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.
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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.
Spring Schedule: March 22–May 31
Weekdays
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1:30 PM – Spring Skies Over Santa Barbara
(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 in spring, 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 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!
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12:00 PM – Cosmic Origins: A Journey Through Time
(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 our own solar system. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
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2:00 PM – El Nacimiento del Planeta Tierra
(se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 30 minutos)¿Cómo se convirtió la Tierra en un planeta vivo tras del nacimiento violento de nuestro sistema solar? ¿Qué nos dice su historia sobre nuestras posibilidades de encontrar otros mundos que sean verdaderamente como la Tierra? El Nacimiento del Planeta Tierra cuenta la historia de los orígenes de nuestro planeta.
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3:00 PM – Spring Skies Over Santa Barbara
(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 in spring, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
