Community

Carr-Fles Planetarium

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, September thru June. FREE and Open to the Public!

Large Groups

Private shows, groups of 15 or more during the day, and 20 or more during the evening, may be reserved by calling (231) 777-0289. Teachers or group chaperones are encouraged to select one of the appropriate titles and schedule their visit two to three weeks in advance. See Educational Shows for more details.

 

View our program schedule

Download our brochure

Planetarium FAQs

Support the Carr-Fles Planetarium

Donate to the Reach for the Stars campaign

Read more about the Reach for the Stars Campaign. 

The Reach for the Stars campaign will transform Carr-Fles Planetarium into a state-of-the art entertainment and education destination. Join our Universe Partner, Richard and Ann Kraft, in support of this important project and your name could appear on a star in the Reach for the Stars donor recognition display installed near the planetarium. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planetarium Schedule 2011-2012

Public Shows: Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7pm - Free of Charge 

Clouds of Fire: The Origin of Stars

September 15 – October 27

If we venture away from city lights on a moonless night, we can see thousands of stars. What are stars? Why do they have different colors? Where do they come from? Clouds of Fire: The Origin of Stars examines these and other questions relating to stars. Beginning with an introduction to the techniques used by astronomers to probe stellar temperature and composition, the program turns to a discussion of nebulae, the giant star nurseries in space.
This is a 35 minute presentation.
 

 

Christmas Show: Star of Wonder

 November 8 - December 15

Anyone who has read the Bible has learned of the glory and the wonder of the 'Star' that declared the birth of Jesus Christ.  Yet, it seems few people of that time, including King Herod's court astronomers, were aware of the star's appearance.  What was the 'Star' referred to in scripture?  'Star of Wonder' pursues this question using Biblical quotations and our modern knowledge of astronomical bodies visible in the sky at the time of the Christ's birth.
This is a 35 minute presentation.  

 

 

Winter Show: Spirits From the Sky: Thunder on the Land

January 17 - February 23, and March 8 - April 5

Providing a rare look into the culture of the Skidi Pawnee Native American Nation, this sky show explores the Skidi tribe?s cultural philosophy of patterning their lives from the observations they made of the Earth and Sky. From calendar to the shape and orientation of their homes, and other daily activities, the Skidi take direction from the sky.

This is a 40 minute presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Show: Hubble Vision II

April 17 - April 26, and May 15 - June 14
 
Since 1990 the Hubble Space Telescope has given us exciting new views and insights as to the nature of the universe. Designed for a 15 year mission the telescope lives on continuing to add to its achievements. This sky show explores some of the telescope?s more significant finds since its launch.

This is a 35 minute presentation