Planetarium

Welcome to the new SMC Planetarium

Offering a brand new look at the universe, the SMC Planetarium presents “The Night Sky Show” and a special Feature Program on most Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons when SMC is in session.

The Night Sky Show

The Night Sky Show is a 40-minute presentation in the SMC Planetarium at 6 p.m. on most Fridays, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. Using SMC’s new 4K Digistar projection system, Planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent will talk about the latest news in astronomy and space exploration, and present a virtual tour of constellations and other night-sky celebrities making their appearance in the evenings ahead. An audience Q&A offers the chance to ask astronomy-related questions. Please Note: Children under age 3 are not permitted at Friday evening shows.

Feature Programs

The planetarium’s Feature Programs explore particular topics of interest, such as the Sun or finding exoplanets. Feature Programs are presented at 7 p.m. on Friday evenings and 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons after “The Night Sky Show.” A brief audience Q&A follows each Feature Program. Please Note: Children under age 3 are not permitted at Friday evening shows.

New! Sunday Family Matinées

The planetarium offers Sunday Family Matinées presenting “The Night Sky Show” at 1 p.m. and a Feature Program at 2 p.m. when SMC is in session. Both shows include a brief audience Q&A. All ages welcome. See the listings in Upcoming Programs for details.

The Feature Program is preceded by “The Night Sky Show.” All shows presented live in the SMC Planetarium (MSB 126).

Jan 23

The Night Sky Show

6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Math & Science Building

Jan 23

Tour of the Solar System Part 1: “The Inner System”

7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Math & Science Building

Jan 25

The Night Sky Show – Matinée

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Math & Science Building

Buy Tickets

Winter Programs

The Night Sky Show

Using SMC’s 4K Digistar projection system, Planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent will talk about the latest news in astronomy and space exploration, and present a virtual tour of constellations and other night-sky celebrities making their appearance in the evenings ahead. A brief audience Q&A follows the show.

Friday, January 23, 6 p.m.
Sunday Family Matinée, January 25, 1 p.m.
Friday, January 30, 6 p.m.
Sunday Family Matinée, February 1, 1 p.m.
Friday, February 6, 6 p.m.
Sunday Family Matinée, February 8, 1 p.m.
Friday, February 20, 6 p.m.
Sunday Family Matinée, February 22, 1 p.m.
Friday, February 27, 6 p.m.

Tour of the Solar System Part 1: “The Inner System”

Earth, home to the only known life in the universe, is surrounded by three fellow rocky planets. Do any of these hold the potential for life beyond Earth? Tonight’s show explores the Sun, the rocky inner planets, and what makes Earth so special. A brief audience Q&A follows the show.

Friday, January 23, 7 p.m.
Sunday Family Matinée, January 25, 2 p.m.

Tour of the Solar System Part 2: “The Outer System”

Most life on Earth draws energy from the Sun, but could life exist in the dim outer reaches of the solar system? Could the icy moons of the outer planets be home to extraterrestrial life? Tonight’s show explores the outer planets, their icy moons, the Kuiper Belt, and the Oort Cloud. A brief audience Q&A follows the show.

Friday, January 30, 7 p.m.
Sunday Family Matinée, February 1, 2 p.m.

Deep Sky Deep Dive: “Black Holes”

All aboard the Lunar Express! We’ll get to know the Moon from orbit then explore some famous craters and Apollo landing sites. A brief audience Q&A follows the show.

Friday, February 6, 7 p.m.
Sunday Family Matinée, February 8, 2 p.m.
Friday, February 20, 7 p.m.
Sunday Family Matinée, February 22, 2 p.m.
Friday, February 27, 7 p.m.

Tickets

Tickets for Friday evening shows and Sunday Family Matinées may be purchased at smc.edu/tickets.
Please Note: No children under age 3 permitted at Friday evening shows.

“The Night Sky Show”: $10 adults, $7 children age 3-12
Feature Program: $10 adults, $7 children age 3-12
Show Combo (“The Night Sky Show” plus Feature Program): $16 adults, $10 children age 3-12

Location of Planetarium

Math and Science Building (MSB 126)
1900 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Campus Map

The SMC Planetarium is located in Santa Monica, south of the 10 (Santa Monica) Freeway and west of the 405 (San Diego) Freeway. The planetarium is in Room MSB 126 of the new Math and Science Building on the south side of the SMC Main Campus, on the corner of Pearl Street at Parking Lot 1, just west of 20th Street.

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