WEST MICHIGAN’S ONLY FREE, PUBLIC PLANETARIUM

The Carr-Fles planetarium is an IMAX-style theater that projects images of the stars, planets, and constellations on a domed ceiling for use in astronomy and cosmology classes. It has 44 theater seats plus an additional 5 spaces for those who use wheelchairs, with a library of 22 programs.

2026-2027 Free Public Planetarium Shows

Tuesday & Thursday evenings at 7:00pm. Scroll down for the schedule.

No reservations are needed – walk-in only. Doors open for seating by 6:45. All shows are about 30 minutes and include a brief demonstration of the current night sky. You may also want to visit our free science museum before the show: https://www.muskegoncc.edu/facilities/john-bartley-science-museum/

In addition to public shows, we are now booking free private shows for Aug 2026 – June 2027. Day and evening times are available on Mon-Thurs, and you may select any of our 22 programs. Minimum group size is 15, and we can arrange multiple shows for groups larger than 44. For reservations, contact Tamera Owens, (231) 777-0289, planetarium@muskegoncc.edu.

PUBLIC SHOW SCHEDULE:

Fall, 2026 Show: “Edge of Darkness”
Travel the dark depths of space to Pluto and its moons.
Aug 25 – Oct 29, 2026

Holiday Show, 2026: “Mystery of the Christmas Star”
Discover events visible in the sky in the time of Jesus’ birth.
Nov 3-24 and Dec 1-10, 2026*
*No show Nov 26 on Thanksgiving. No show Dec 14 – Jan 12 for semester break.

Winter Show, 2027: “Incoming!”
See how asteroids and comets have changed life on Earth.
Jan 12 – Feb 25 and Mar 9-25, 2027*
*No show Mar 2 & 4 for college spring break.

Spring Show 2027: “Destination Mars”
Explore the Red Planet and the technology to get us there.
March 30 – Apr 29 and May 18 – June 3, 2027*
*No show May 4-13 for semester break.

About the planetarium:

The Carr-Fles planetarium is an IMAX-style theater that projects images of the stars, planets, and constellations on a domed ceiling for use in astronomy and cosmology classes. It has 44 theater seats plus an additional 5 spaces for those who use wheelchairs, with a library of 22 programs.

In addition to college classroom use, we have an average of 4,000 community visitors a year, and we are now booking free private shows for Aug 2026 – June 2027 (Mon-Thurs). Minimum group size is 15, and we can arrange multiple shows for groups larger than 44. For reservations, contact Tamera Owens, (231) 777-0289, planetarium@muskegoncc.edu.

The planetarium opened in 1972 and was named in honor of MCC Astronomy instructor Stan Carr, who was instrumental in its original design, and Dr. Robert Fles, who served on the first Board of Trustees. A 2012 renovation brought state-of-the-art digital projection, sound, and lighting systems, a new library of shows, and a completely updated theater environment.