Public Programs

Announcement: The UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium will be closed for dome renovation until April 3, 2008. Our Friday Night Shows will resume on April 4, 2008.

The Manfred Olson Planetarium offers the following programs to the public.

• Friday Night Show (schedule: pdf, doc)
• AstroBreak - every Wednesday at 12:10 to 12:45 pm (schedule)
• Stargazing: on select evenings, weather permitting

For schools and other groups we offer private shows at a time and date that you choose.

What's Up?

Friday Night Show

READ THE ARTICLE about our Friday Night Show on the Play in the City blog, April 22, 2008.

Join us for the Friday Night Show, a public program offered throughout the year on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. The program lasts approximately 55 minutes. Each show runs 6 to 8 weeks typically and has three portions:

• a description of stars and their myths alongside other interesting astronomical objects that we can see in the current night time sky,
• a particular theme suggested in the title, and
• questions from the audience that the presenter will answer

For more information, see the Current Friday Night Show. For a list of shows, see schedule. (pdf, doc)

General admission is $1.00. Tickets go on sale in the Physics building lobby at 6:30 p.m. No reservations required.

Please note that the program is not intended for children under 5, and that our theater is wheel-chair accessible.

AstroBreak

Aren't able to come to the Planetarium shows on Friday night? Want to know what is new in Astronomy? Would like to get an idea of what you are looking at when you look up at the starry night? Would like to get away from worldly concerns? We invite you to join us for AstroBreak at the Manfred Olson Planetarium on Wednesdays at 12:10 pm to 12:45 pm. See the current AstroBreak Schedule.
Archived AstroBreaks

AstroBreak shows are intended for a general audience: the presenter puts in context the astronomical news and also shows the current night time sky in a climate-controlled theater with comfortable seats. These shows are free although donations are greatly appreciated.

Stargazing

Our Stargazing program offers an opportunity to observe the night sky from the roof of the Physics building on a few evenings during the Fall and Spring semesters. You can get to the telescopes by taking the elevator (at the east end of the Physics building) to the 4th floor and making a left turn to the staircase that leads to the roof.

The Stargazing program is at 8 to 9 pm UNLESS otherwise noted.

Our spring schedule for observing is as follows:

Feb 13 (Wed), 8:45 - 9:45 pm
Feb 14 (Thu)

Mar 3 (Mon)
Mar 4 (Tue)

Apr 7 (Mon)
Apr 9 (Wed), 8:45 - 9:45 pm

May 5 (Mon), 8:45 -9:45 pm
May 7 (Wed), 8:45-9:45 pm
May 8 (Thu), 8:45-9:45 pm

Please note that observing is weather dependent. If you are interested in observing and live far from campus, send us an email at stargaze@uwm.edu at least 48 hours in advance and we will let you know whether we are observing or not.

Stargazing is free, however, donations are greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, our observatory (unlike our theater) is not wheel-chair accessible, and our guests must be able to climb a flight of stairs.

Be sure to dress for the weather. A good rule of thumb is to dress as if the temperature were 15 degrees colder than it is.

Special events

On February 20, 2008, we presented a special program for the Total Lunar Eclipse. Read about and see pictures from the event.

See our photographs from the August 28th Lunar Eclipse Event.

Our Activities for Families series will continue in the Spring 2008.

Other Important Information

Here are some tips to make your visit more enjoyable.

• Please use the restrooms before the show starts as the doors of the theater lock automatically.
• Please dress in layers for your comfort. During warm days, the theater can become quite cool.
• For safety reasons, please remain seated during the program as the planetarium environment is very dark.
• Kindly bring no food or drinks in the Planetarium theater.
• Some aspects of the Planetarium experience (especially the darkened room) may not be suitable for children under 5 years old.
• Come to the show with your astronomy questions! We always have a question and answer period at the end of our show.

Please feel free to contact Jean Creighton if you have additional questions. stargaze@uwm.edu

Friday Night Show
Stars in the Spring
7:00 pm

AstroBreak
Every Wednesday
12:10-12:45 pm
Schedule

Stargazing
During Fall and
Spring Semesters