Planetarium Shows
in the

Planetarium Theater

Our planetarium has been updated and is better than ever!

In late 2022, we began our planetarium upgrade by partnering with SSIA Technologies to update our servers, software, and audio systems to the latest technology. In addition, we installed brand new carpets, seating, and state-of-the -art 10k projectors. We’re proud to be one of the four planetariums in North America with these high resolution projectors!

Thank you to all our donors and Corporate Members who made this project possible—we are so excited to share our upgraded theater with everyone!

Please note before purchasing your planetarium tickets:

  • Planetarium tickets are an add-on to general admission tickets and won’t be accepted without proof of general admission tickets.

  • Planetarium show ticket sales stop 10 minutes before our shows are scheduled to begin, to make sure everyone gets to the planetarium theater in time for the show to begin.

  • If you pre-purchase tickets to a show, you must still check in at the front desk when you arrive to receive your admittance sticker.

  • Planetarium ticket holders are expected to be present outside the theater doors 5-10 minutes before each show. We need to create a very dark environment for you to be able to see the stars, so once the audience is seated, the show begins and no late seating is allowed.

  • Early departure is permitted but re-entry is not permitted. The Discovery Center is not responsible for refunding tickets due to late arrive or early departures.

  • Planetarium shows run approximately 25-45 minutes.

  • The planetarium show schedule is subject to change without notice.

Now Playing

September 22 - December 15, 2024

Please note planetarium tickets are an add-on to general admission tickets.
Planetarium tickets will be not be accepted without purchase of general admission tickets.

  • Showing until 12/29 at 11:00AM & 3:00PM

    We Are Guardians looks at how our world, its people, and its ecosystems are intrinsically connected. In this immersive full-dome show, learn about how scientists are using satellites to monitor and examine the links between human activities and climate change and how we can work together to protect our shared world. 

    Recommended for ages 6+

  • Always showing at 12 & 2 PM

    Tonight’s Sky is our own, ever changing planetarium show! Experience our educator-led, live show about what's visible in the sky the night of your visit. Tonight’s Sky is a tour of all of the wonders of the night sky, with a member of the Discovery Center's Education Team serving as your guide.

    Recommended for ages 5+.

  • Showing until 12/29 at 1:00PM

    When we think of big astronomy, we think of big telescopes. But people enable discoveries. Big Astronomy or Astronomia a Gran Escala is a bilingual planetarium show that extends beyond the dome with web-based and hands-on resources. Explore world-class observatories, learn why Chile is an ideal environment for astronomy, and meet some of the diverse people who make discoveries possible. Engage in ongoing conversations with observatory staff, explore educational activities, preview the show, and more at bigastronomy.org!

    Recommended for ages 8 and up.  

    Run Time: 30 minutes 

Coming Soon

December 21 - December 31

Please note planetarium tickets are an add-on to general admission tickets.
Planetarium tickets will be not be accepted without purchase of general admission tickets.

  • Showing until 12/31 at 11:00AM

  • Always showing at 12 & 2 PM

    Tonight’s Sky is our own, ever changing planetarium show! Experience our educator-led, live show about what's visible in the sky the night of your visit. Tonight’s Sky is a tour of all of the wonders of the night sky, with a member of the Discovery Center's Education Team serving as your guide.

    Recommended for ages 5+.

  • Showing until 12/31 at 1:00PM

    PLEASE NOTE: There is NO additional charge to attend this airing however, general admission tickets are required. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. We recommend reserving your free tickets ahead of your visit.

  • Showing until 12/31 at 3pm.

Freedom Energy Logistics Adopts Planetarium at McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

In an exciting new partnership to make new discoveries in astronomy and space science accessible to New Hampshire families and visitors to the Granite State, Freedom Energy Logistics of Auburn, NH has adopted our planetarium theater.

“We are delighted to play a part in encouraging those of all ages to engage in leading edge science in the museum dedicated to New Hampshire space pioneers Christa McAuliffe and Alan Shepard,” notes Bart Fromuth. “I will never forget my first visit to the planetarium as a student on a school field trip. The experience was transformative. As a father, I want that experience for my children. As a business leader, I want to encourage students of all ages to engage in science, technology, engineering, and math at the Discovery Center’s Freedom Energy Logistics Planetarium and be inspired to pursue careers in these fields.”

The Freedom Energy Logistics Planetarium originally opened in 1990 in a facility named the “Christa McAuliffe Planetarium”. In 2009, the original organization quadrupled in size, expanded its mission to include both Christa McAuliffe and her hero, Admiral Alan B. Shepard, Jr., and reopened as a 45,000-square-foot, two-story science museum. Its name was legally changed in April 2009 from the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. From 2009-2011, five key areas and several exhibits in the new museum were adopted by community-oriented corporations. The new three-year partnership between Freedom Energy Logistics and the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center has reopened the possibility of adopting and naming additional key spaces and activities in the center, ranging from a board room to a major function room to a science playground. Interested companies and individuals are invited to contact Executive Director Gerulskis at the Discovery Center for more information.