Explore Astronomy, Aviation, and Earth and Space Science

Dedicated to NH space pioneers Christa McAuliffe and Alan Shepard, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a 45,000-square-foot air and space museum in the heart of Northern New England, with indoor and outdoor exhibits, an observatory, a vibrant program series, a vintage 1956 Crusader jet, one of only three planetariums in all of North America with a 10K projection system and an outdoor Science Playground!

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An indoor museum with a military aircraft on display in the foreground, a staircase with visitors ascending, and a live music performance on a stage at the back, with audience seating and informational displays.

Plan Your Visit

Learn what you need to know before you visit The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center and get answers to frequently asked questions, including the days and hours we are open, parking accommodations, the cost of admission, planetarium shows, and more.

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Programs

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Offers Various Programs Related to Astronomy, Aviation, Earth, and Space Science. These include STEM Summer Camps, school visits, outreach programs where we come to you, and more. 

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Support

Your support helps us provide exciting STEM experiences, inspire young minds, and maintain our programs, such as interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and summer camps. Learn how you can support our mission.

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Facility Rentals

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Offers Various Programs Related to Astronomy, Aviation, Earth, and Space Science. These include STEM Summer Camps, school visits, outreach programs where we come to you, and more. 

Current and Upcoming Programming

Planetarium Events

Featured
Seeing! A Photon's Journey Across Space, Time and Mind
Seeing! A Photon's Journey Across Space, Time and Mind

The journey of a single photon traveling from a distant star across space to land on someone's retina. From astrophysics to the biology of the eye and brain.

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The Little Star That Could
Planetarium
The Little Star That Could
Planetarium

This show is about a star in search of planets. He learns what makes each star special, and discovers that stars combine to form star clusters and galaxies.

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Planetarium
The Sun, Our Living Star
Planetarium
The Sun, Our Living Star
Planetarium

Discover the secrets of our star in this planetarium show and experience never-before-seen images of the Sun’s violent surface in immersive full-dome format.

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Planetarium
Tonight’s Sky
Planetarium
Tonight’s Sky
Planetarium

This ever-changing educator-led Planetarium shows you how to observe the sky from your backyard and allows you to travel thousands of light-years from Earth.

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Planetarium