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 the video based, full-dome Digistar 7 projection system that can simulate anything visual... including the day or night sky at any date, time, and from any location — including out in space! This makes the MMSD Planetarium an ideal tool for exploring astronomy, space science and other topics!

The planetarium provides comfortable theater seating for 67 people at a time and serves more than ~ 20,000 pre-school through adult visitors every school year.

Please note that we are closed when MMSD schools are closed.

Reservations are required to bring your group for a private, scheduled planetarium program.

We also have monthly evening public programs during the school year.

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

planetarium@mmsd.org

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Directions to the MMSD Planetarium
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Directions to the MMSD Planetarium

Getting to the MMSD Planetarium located in Vel Phillips Memorial High School:

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 and Vel Phillips Memorial High School will be on the right.

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

FOR CARS: Note that there is VERY limited visitor parking during the day (see below), so for most groups self-transporting you will want to take advantage of the large commercial parking lots in the area. For evening and weekend programs you can park anywhere in the large lot on the Mineral Point Rd side of the building.

Special transportation needs...

Heading north on Gammon Rd...

After crossing Mineral Point Road, turn into the FIRST driveway,
turn immediately left in front of the building on "Memorial Way".

Stop at the doors near the flagpole to unload/pickup.
This is at the third image in the image sequence shown above and is where you 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 flagpole. 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 ahead 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, especially in the large commercial parking lots right across the street from the planetarium entrance. We suggest that you use this parking in the neighborhood.

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.

JOIN the mailing 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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