Public Events
Eclipse Glasses for Sale!
Be safe, order a pair for everyone in the family!
Be prepared to look at the October 14, 2023 and the April 8, 2024 Solar eclipses!
Did you know the sun is a great object to look at any day... sometimes its sunspots are so large that you can see them with just your eyes (protected with these amazing eclipse glasses, of course) from our spaceship Earth at more than 93,000,000 miles away.
Glasses purchased must be picked up at the planetarium by appointment or at any of our public events. Cost is $5 per pair with all proceeds directly benefiting the planetarium. Send an email to the planetarium to arrange for a pickup time.
Cash or check is our preferred method of payment but payment through our online store is possible, if you have to use a credit card.
Buy a pair for yourself, every family member, as a gift, or simply donate the purchase so that we can provide safe eclipse glasses to others in our community.
Additional donations welcomed!!
![nov pub show graphic]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695079092/madisonk12wius/akac3oyleubv8mctkadf/WeareGuardiansSlideImage1150_1720.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695079092/madisonk12wius/akac3oyleubv8mctkadf/WeareGuardiansSlideImage1150_1720.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1695079092/madisonk12wius/akac3oyleubv8mctkadf/WeareGuardiansSlideImage1150_1720.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695079092/madisonk12wius/akac3oyleubv8mctkadf/WeareGuardiansSlideImage1150_1720.png","width":1150}])
We are Guardians - Nov Public Show
Join us to learn about our interconnected world and how satellites help us to examine the Earth.
![graphic thumbnail for program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695055816/madisonk12wius/g4isih3fqszphcduhfnz/TheStarsofAutumSlideImageOCTversion1150_1720copy_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695055816/madisonk12wius/g4isih3fqszphcduhfnz/TheStarsofAutumSlideImageOCTversion1150_1720copy_1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1695055816/madisonk12wius/g4isih3fqszphcduhfnz/TheStarsofAutumSlideImageOCTversion1150_1720copy_1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695055816/madisonk12wius/g4isih3fqszphcduhfnz/TheStarsofAutumSlideImageOCTversion1150_1720copy_1.png","width":1150}])
"The Stars of Autumn" - Oct Public Show
Join us to learn about the autumn sky and how to use a beginner's telescope.
![The Stars of Summer]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1681825266/madisonk12wius/zsdtrsno9kfpr1sc6xcv/TheStarsofSummerSlideImage1150_1720.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1681825266/madisonk12wius/zsdtrsno9kfpr1sc6xcv/TheStarsofSummerSlideImage1150_1720.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1681825266/madisonk12wius/zsdtrsno9kfpr1sc6xcv/TheStarsofSummerSlideImage1150_1720.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1681825266/madisonk12wius/zsdtrsno9kfpr1sc6xcv/TheStarsofSummerSlideImage1150_1720.jpg","width":1150}])
The Stars of Summer - May Public Program
Join us to learn about the summer sky and how to use a beginner's telescope.
![Seasons of Light: Finding Inspiration in the Darkest of Seasons]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669133510/madisonk12wius/x2bgpmg8n2yd7794g8yw/sol_1056.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1669133510/madisonk12wius/x2bgpmg8n2yd7794g8yw/sol_1056.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1669133510/madisonk12wius/x2bgpmg8n2yd7794g8yw/sol_1056.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1669133510/madisonk12wius/x2bgpmg8n2yd7794g8yw/sol_1056.jpg","width":1056}])
MMSD Planetarium Public Show for December...
Seasons of Light
![Observatory at sunset]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1651181051/madisonk12wius/nvkc5dmeiu5cifh90sww/BigAstronomyPoster-FB-Blanco.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1651181051/madisonk12wius/nvkc5dmeiu5cifh90sww/BigAstronomyPoster-FB-Blanco.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1651181051/madisonk12wius/nvkc5dmeiu5cifh90sww/BigAstronomyPoster-FB-Blanco.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1651181051/madisonk12wius/nvkc5dmeiu5cifh90sww/BigAstronomyPoster-FB-Blanco.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1651181051/madisonk12wius/nvkc5dmeiu5cifh90sww/BigAstronomyPoster-FB-Blanco.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1651181051/madisonk12wius/nvkc5dmeiu5cifh90sww/BigAstronomyPoster-FB-Blanco.jpg","width":1920}])
Public Shows Return for November...
BIG ASTRONOMY!
![Halloween Spooktacular Banner Image]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663873545/madisonk12wius/i3uqrbiy0kfakqpdk4xk/BannerHalloweenSpooktacularwithTextSMALL.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663873545/madisonk12wius/i3uqrbiy0kfakqpdk4xk/BannerHalloweenSpooktacularwithTextSMALL.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1663873545/madisonk12wius/i3uqrbiy0kfakqpdk4xk/BannerHalloweenSpooktacularwithTextSMALL.jpg","width":720}])
A Halloween Spooktacular B-Movie Fundraising Event! Join us for a single film, a double-feature, or all four of the movie options.
Public Shows for 2023-2024 School Year:
Unless noted, all shows are on Mondays and Tuesdays with start times of 6 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets typically go on sale around the time of the previous month's show days. Many shows sell out, so purchase here as soon as possible!
October 16 - 17, 2023 The Stars of Autumn (Current Sky and How to use a Telescope!)
November 13 - 14, 2023 We are Guardians NEW
December 11 -12, 2023 Season of Light
January 22 - 23, 2024 Lights Out! Eclipses: Whys, Wonders and Wows NEW
Buy your eclipse glasses from us, $5 each!
February (Dates/Times Vary) Romance/Enchantment Under the Sea (Reservations managed through MSCR!)
March 18 - 19, 2024 Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge
April 22 - 23, 2024 Mars: The Ultimate Voyage NEW
May 13 - 14, 2024 The Stars of Summer (Current Sky and How to use a Telescope!)
Planetarium Public Shows
Madison's Planetarium is a Hidden Gem (City Cast Madison, 2023)
Memorial High Planetarium: Coolest Thing Ever! (Wisconsin State Journal, 2023)
We offer public planetarium programs during the school year. The show topic varies each month. Tickets can be purchased...
in advance online (credit card)
or at the door (Cash)...
but only IF the show is not sold out. So buy tickets in advance!
COST/Ticket Fees:
Madison Resident, $6 per person
Non-Resident, $9 per person
*Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
SPECIAL Events
Occasionally we offer a unique experience via visual and auditory performances that benefit from presentation in the planetarium setting.
COST: Varies by program