The Planetarium at UT-Arlington invites you into their 60-foot dome for fun and educational shows on astronomy shown with a Digistar 4 DLP Projection system. During June, the Planetarium debuts the brand new show “Molecularium” for FREE on Sundays at 3:30pm. Tickets for other shows throughout the week are only $4 kids and $6 adults!
The Planetarium at UT-Arlington
Chemistry-Physics Building on UTA campus
700 Planetarium Place
(817) 272-0123
www.uta.edu/planetarium
The Planetarium at UT-Arlington is a one-of-a-kind teaching, learning and special occasion facility. In addition to charting the skies and traveling the galaxy, the Planetarium presents kid-friendly (and educational) shows. Inside the cool air conditioned auditorium which seats nearly 150, there are comfortable reclining seats, wheelchair friendly access, and radio headsets for the hearing impaired.
The new show “Molecularium” will be shown free on Sundays at 3:30pm during the month of June. Tickets will be required (at no cost) and you can pick up a ticket beginning at 3pm from the ticket booth inside the planetarium. Groupon vouchers will not be accepted for this free show. For questions about the free Sunday showing, call 817-272-1183 during normal business hours.
Ticket prices for planetarium shows featuring astronomy are: $6 adults, $4 seniors (65+), $4 children (18 & under); $3 UTA students w/ID; $4 non-UTA students; $4 UTA alumni/faculty/staff w/ID. Groups of 15-or-more should make a reservation 24 hours in advance to receive a discount ($4 per person per ticket). The phone number for Group Reservations is (817) 272-1183.
Here is the SUMMER SCHEDULE (June 1st through Aug 26th), but I suggest you confirm dates/show times by calling the pre-recorded show line number at (817) 272-0123.
SATURDAYS:
*1pm “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” (kids show: discover the night sky with Big Bird, Elmo and their new friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu)
*2:30pm “Cosmic Colors” (follow the spectrum and adventure into a world of colors)
*5:30pm “Stars of the Pharoahs” (travel to ancient Egypt to see how science was used to tell time, make a workable calendar, and align huge buildings)
*7:00pm: “Pink Floyd” (enjoy a 60’s style laser lights show set to the music of Pink Floyd)
SUNDAYS:
*1:30pm “Two Small Pieces of Glass” (follow two students and they interact with an astronomer at a local star party; along the way they learn how telescopes work, the history of telescopes, and major discoveries made with these instruments)
*2:30pm “SpacePark 360” (an out-of-this-work entertainment experience. Get transported to surreal vistas and experience the most thrilling amusement park rides the solar system has to offer)
*3:30pm “Molecularium” (a magical, musical adventure into the world of atoms and molecules)
MONDAYS: Closed
TUESDAYS:
*2pm “Texas Stargazing” (find out what’s visible in the night sky tonight)
WEDNESDAYS:
*2pm “Two Small Pieces of Glass” (follow two students and they interact with an astronomer at a local star party; along the way they learn how telescopes work, the history of telescopes, and major discoveries made with these instruments)
THURSDAYS:
*2pm: “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” (kids show: discover the night sky with Big Bird, Elmo and their new friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu)
FRIDAYS:
*2pm “Stars of the Pharoahs” (travel to ancient Egypt to see how science was used to tell time, make a workable calendar, and align huge buildings)
The Planetarium is an awesome idea for field trips for your school or organization. And what a cool birthday party! They’ve even hosted corporate events, family reunions and sweet 16 birthday parties. Yes, they even offer catering (click here for catering menu: https://www.uta.edu/planetarium/_content/pdf/general/catering-menu.pdf
The Planetarium Dome Theatre seats 148 people, but there is also an atrium area (comfortable seating for 50 or standing area comfortable for 75-100 guests)as well as an executive conference room (3rd floor of Chemistry-Physics Building, planetarium is at ground level entrance). So this is a venue to consider to presentations, ceremonies, corporate gatherings, and parties.
If you’re thinking of having a children’s birthday party here, rental of the dome theatre is $225 which includes one show (you can choose from a long list of shows) and one hour in the atrium for cake/presents. For an extra $50 you can get a customized show that would include some visual effects (e.g. snow falling, slideshows, etc.).
When you book a private show, you may choose from the following options: “Astronaut”, “Bad Astronomy”, “Black Holes”, “IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System”, “Ice Worlds”, “Magnificent Sun”, “Microcosm”, “Nanocam”, “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure”, “Pink Floyd”, “Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 1”, “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket”, “Spacepark 360”, “Star of the Pharoahs”, “Time Space”, “Two Small Pieces of Glass”, “Unseen Universe, the Vision of SOFIA”, “Violent Universe”, “We Are Astronomers”, and “Wonders of the Universe”.
The Planetarium staff will work with you to choose a show that is age appropriate. They’ll also answer questions about event planning. Call them at (817) 272-1183.
To help arrange a Field Trip for your organization, click here: https://www.uta.edu/planetarium/schools/
The Planetarium is located inside the Chemistry-Physics building in the heart of the UT-Arlington campus. Parking (especially on weekdays when school is in-session) is not available immediately in front of the building but there is a drop-off circle drive in front of the building’s entrance. There is a covered parking garage a short distance away (one-half block south of Planetarium) at $1.50 per hour with validated parking ticket (get it validated at Planetarium box office).
Free parking on Sunday (you still need to have it validated). If you don’t want to pay for covered parking, you may park in “Student Surface Lots” which are free from 5pm Friday to 5am Monday (Friday evenings through Sunday nights, only).
As for directions/maps (For the purpose of Google maps, the address is listed as 700 College Street), from South Cooper Street, turn east on S. Nedderman Drive, go one block to Planetarium Place (turn left on Planetarium Place). For the parking garage, go past Planetarium Place and turn left on S. West St (garage is located at corner of S. Nedderman and S. West St.).
Click here for directions and parking: https://www.uta.edu/planetarium/about/directions-and-parking.php
Arlington Insider 