Welcome to the All-New Carr-Fles Planetarium!
Thanks to the generosity of the Reach for the Stars campaign donors, you can now experience the all-new Carr-Fles Planetarium, featuring:
- state-of-the-art digital projection, sound and lighting systems
- all-new library of shows
- modern theater seating and domed ceiling
West Michigan's only free planetarium
Free and open to the public, Carr-Fles Planetarium showtimes are 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, September through June. Carr-Fles Planetarium is located on the Muskegon Community College campus in Room 135.
Want to schedule a private showing?
Private shows, for 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. Planetarium FAQs.
2012-13 Planetarium Shows
Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity
September 11 – November 1, 2012
Narrated by actor Liam Neeson, this cutting-edge presentation takes the planetarium audience to the most frightening objects in the universe: the black holes. Visitors will learn about the evolution of stars, the types of stars that produce black holes when they die, and the super-massive black holes in the centers of galaxies. The program will be followed by a brief tour of the current night sky, using the planetarium.
This is a 35-minute presentation.
Christmas Show: Mystery of the Christmas Star
November 6 – December 13, 2012
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? “Mystery of the Christmas Star” investigates possible dates for the sighting of the “Star,” and looks at significant astronomical events visible in the sky in those time frames. See which of the “sky signs” was remarkable enough to have caused the Wise Men to travel over 600 miles through the desert from Babylon to Bethlehem. The program will be followed by a brief tour of the current night sky, using the planetarium.
This is a 35-minute presentation.
Stars: The Powerhouses of the Universe
January 8 – February 21, and March 5 - April 11, 2013
Narrated with the voice talent of actor Mark Hamill, “Stars: The Powerhouses of the Universe,” takes the planetarium visitors on a journey to the furthest reaches of our galaxy to experience both the beauty and destructive power of stars. From their birth in vast clouds of gas to their spectacular luminous deaths, stars release the energy that powers the universe. The program will be followed by a brief tour of the current night sky, using the planetarium.
This is a 35-minute presentation.
Oasis in Space
April 16 – April 25, and May 14 - June 13, 2013
“Oasis in Space” transports the planetarium audience on a startling and beautiful voyage through our universe, Milky Way galaxy, and solar system in search of liquid water - a key ingredient for life on Earth. The program will be followed by a brief sky tour of the current night sky using the planetarium.
This is a 35-minute presentation.
