Contacting and Getting to the MMSD Planetarium

The MMSD Planetarium is an immersive simulation environment dedicated to engaging and educating students and the public throughout south central Wisconsin. The planetarium is a unique space with a full 180 degree, 30 foot overhead screen (the dome) and a full-dome Digistar 7 projection system that can simulate the day or night sky at any date, time, and from any location — including out in space! This makes it the ideal tool for exploring astronomy, space science and other topics!

The planetarium opened in 1966 and has been remodelled to provide comfortable theater seating for 67 people at a time. We have served ~ 20,000 pre-school through adult visitors every year. Although the Covid pandemic switched our services to virtual, we are excited to return to a full offering of in person experiences.

Reservations can be made to bring your group to participate in a program at the planetarium.

The planetarium also serves as a resource for teachers, students, and the general public--including monthly evening public programs.

Please contact us via phone or email for all your astronomical/space science needs.

Need to make a Reservation?

Set up your group program by clicking the button below to proceed to the Reservations page.

Reservation Information

201 South Gammon Road
Madison, Wisconsin 53717

608-663-6102
Fax: 608-442-2203

planetarium@mmsd.org

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Directions to Arrive at and Enter the MMSD Planetarium

Getting to Memorial High School on Madison's South West side:

From the Beltline Highway (Hwys 12 & 14):

Take Highway 12/14 (the Beltline) to the Gammon Road exit,
Exit onto Gammon Road heading to the North,
Left or Right will depend on your direction of travel on the beltline!
go through three street lights, the 3rd stoplight is at Mineral Point Rd, proceed straight through this intersection, Vel Phillips Memorial High School will be on the right,

FOR BUSSES: You should stay on Gammon Road, pulling up to the curb near the flagpole (see the first image in the six image sequence shown above) and off load your group.

FOR CARS: Note that there is VERY limited visitor parking during the day (see above), however if someone has special transportation needs...

have the vehicle turn into the FIRST driveway,
turn immediately to the left in front of the building.
This will get you to the location of the third image in the image sequence shown above and will join your group.

TIME TO ENTER THE BUILDING:
You will enter through the closest door, #3, and the planetarium will be just ahead and to your left... see the image sequence frames 4, 5 and 6 shown above.

Welcome to the MMSD Planetarium!

For additional information, please contact:

Ben Senson

Planetarium Director

planetarium@mmsd.org

Phone: (608) 663-6102

Individuals and groups should enter through the Gammon Road entrance near the flag pole. Look for the planetarium sign by the curb. Come in the doors closest to the planetarium sign. (See photos that start at the curb below!) This entrance is wheelchair accessible. Due to the remodeling, you can not be buzzed in through these exterior doors via the intercom as we did in the past... so please arrive as close as possible to your program time as we will have to meet you at the door #3.

Once you are inside the building, the planetarium entrance is 50 feet diagonally ahead and to your left from this door (see photo sequence below).

Explore this location in Google Maps.

Visitor Parking for Cars is VERY Limited!

We have major remodeling at Vel Phillips HS through spring of 2025. This means that during the school day, if you come to the planetarium via cars, there will very likely be fewer than the six total visitor parking spots available at the time of your program. There is abundant street parking in the neighborhood north and west of the school campus. If you need to use a visitor parking spot, they are the closest six to the Gammon Road entrance and to the south side of the building. See the labelled aerial map here. You will need to enter through the Welcome Center to get a parking pass for your car. The Welcome Center can be found under the silver awning, under the word "School" in the big Vel Phillips High School sign. Your entire group should gather outside at door #3 to be met and brought into the building.

View Larger Map

View Larger Aerial View

This series of six images shows what will be seen as your group pulls up to the Gammon Road curbside and then offloads and walks to the Planetarium. You will need to be greeted at the exterior door (#3) to be allowed entry into Vel Phillips High School. If it is not yet your show time, note that we may be occupied and unable to come greet you until a few minutes before show time. your patience is appreciated. (Click on the image to see a larger version!)

Sequence seen as you approach the exterior of the building, entrance and then planetarium's door.

Video Chat

We can also provide astronomy, and astronomy education support virtually as well! Do you have a follow-up question related to your planetarium visit? Do you need help understanding, or explaining, an astronomy concept? A video chat can be more conducive to talking about astronomy than a phone call and/or emails. We can make connections via Zoom, Skype, Facetime, or Google+ Hangouts. Contact the planetarium to set up an appointment.

Email List

Want to know when there is a must-see celestial event occurring? Want to know when new planetarium programs becomes available? Want to be notified about our next public program? If any of these apply to you, then you should subscribe to our mailing list.

Note that many shorter updates go to Facebook and Twitter (short articles are posted on our blog).

To subscribe to the email list, simply send a message to the Planetarium Director, asking to be added: planetarium@mmsd.org

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