The BGSU Planetarium has announced its upcoming fall schedule running from Sept. 3 through Dec. 13, featuring three public debuts, youth-focused astronomical programming, holiday features, and post-show stargazing opportunities, according to planetarium materials released by Julie Carle.
September Lineup Highlights DESI Mapping and Animal Constellations
The fall season opens on Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. with “Animals of the Sky,” a youth-oriented production tracing a girl named Delphia as she encounters various animal constellations. According to the schedule, repeat showtimes for this feature are set for Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m., along with 4:30 p.m. slots on Sept. 13, 20, and 27.
September also brings one of the season’s three new public additions, “5000 Eyes: Mapping the University with DESI.” This program explores the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, which has compiled a detailed map of nearby galaxies and cosmic structures. The show premieres Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m., with subsequent screenings on Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. and Sept. 13, 20, and 27 at 7:30 p.m.
October Features Light Pollution Studies and Cosmic Recipes
October brings “Dark Side of Light,” a presentation examining how artificial illumination impacts both nature and night-sky observation, accompanied by astrophotography imagery. Screenings take place Oct. 1 and 8 at 6:30 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Younger audiences can experience “Cosmic Recipe: Setting the Periodic Table,” exploring the origin of elements, on Oct. 11 and 18 at 4:30 p.m. and Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
The facility’s seasonal Halloween favorite, “Spooky Space,” returns with five total viewings scheduled across late October. According to the release, showtimes are set for Oct. 18 and 25 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 22 and 29 at 6:30 p.m., and an afternoon showing on Oct. 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Did you know?
Weather permitting, visitors can access the BGSU rooftop observatory after evening planetarium shows, as well as on clear Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays through Nov. 3, according to planetarium organizers.
November Focuses on Dark Matter and Human Spaceflight
November programming delves into unseen cosmic mass with “The Dark Matter Mystery,” scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, 8, 15, and 22, plus a 6:30 p.m. show on Nov. 12. Running alongside it is “We Choose Space,” a youth show tracking human exploration from the Apollo lunar missions to the International Station and future lunar bases. Screenings are set for 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, 8, 15, and 22, and at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 and 19.
December Holiday Classics and Special Weekend Events
December features holiday programming with “The Alien Who Stole Christmas” on Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 6 and 13 at 4:30 p.m. Longtime planetarium director Dale Smith’s classic, “Secret of the Star,” runs on Dec. 6 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Special events are also locked in for campus weekends. Homecoming Weekend brings “Unveiling the Invisible Universe” on Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., and Sept. 26 at noon and 1 p.m. Falcon Family Weekend shows are scheduled for Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Oct. 17 at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m.
Visitor Information and Location
The BGSU Planetarium sits inside Room 112 of the Physical Sciences Building on campus. Organizers suggest a $2 donation for admission. Additional details and schedule updates are available through the BGSU Planetarium website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the BGSU Planetarium located?
The planetarium is located in Room 112 of the Physical Sciences Building on the BGSU campus.
How much does admission cost?
A $2 donation is suggested for all planetarium shows, according to the facility schedule.
Can visitors use the observatory after the shows?
Yes, weather permitting, the public can visit the BGSU rooftop observatory following evening shows and on clear Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays through Nov. 3.
Plan Your Visit
Check out the official BGSU Planetarium schedule online to confirm showtimes and plan your evening under the stars.
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