Category: Planetarium Shows

All planetarium shows begin at 7:30pm.

Admission opens at 7:00pm; $5/adult, $3/student, 6 and under free.

Telescope viewing afterwards on clear nights

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July 1 – Backyard Radio Astronomy

VBAS has been working with the Huntsville Amateur Radio Club to develop radio astronomy activities and conduct citizen science from our facilities on Monte Sano. Come and learn about how we can observe Meteors, our Milky Way, the Sun, Jupiter and much more using radio and what we hope to learn.

Presented by Alex Hall and Bob Ehresman

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July 8 – Kepler, Master of the Planets

Johannes Kepler was an incredible mathematician and astronomer. We will take a brief look at his life and contributions to science. We will also talk about the planets that have been discovered around other stars in our galaxy using data from the Kepler Space Telescope.

Presented by Gena Crook

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July 15 and 29 – Webb’s First Year of Science

It’s only been one year since the James Webb Space Telescope’s first full-color images and data were released. What exactly is Webb observing during this first year of science? With the capacity to explore almost every region of space and observe almost any type of object or material that emits, absorbs, reflects, or deflects near-infrared or mid-infrared light, there’s a lot to choose from. Join us to learn the telescope and some of its discoveries in the past year.

Presented by Naveen Vetcha and Tom Burleson

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July 22 – Kids Night at the Planetarium

Bring your kiddos out for a night at the planetarium specifically for them. We will learn about the moon and try some fun activities for the young (or young at heart).

Presented by Delisa Collette

All planetarium shows begin at 7:30pm. Admission opens at 7:00pm. Telescope viewing afterwards on clear nights

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May 6th & 13th – 3D Printing in Space

What is 3D printing, and how does it work? Join us for a tour of 3D printing processes and learn how they are being applied to further the missions of space exploration!

Presented by Chris Bero

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May 20th – Stars Around the World

Join professional educator Beth Bero in a journey of discov-
ery as we learn how people around the world see the night-
time sky.

Presented by Beth Bero

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May 27th – Sounds of Space

Just because Space is a vacuum does not stop the Universe
from singing! From Geiger counters to the latest and greatest
Radio telescopes, all of this data can be altered to fit into our
very narrow range of hearing through Sonification. This data
can be used to make truly alien music and more importantly
give an entirely different perspective to how we approach
science by using our ears instead of our eyes.

Presented by Michael Buford

All planetarium shows begin at 7:30pm. Admission opens at 7:00pm. Telescope viewing afterwards on clear nights

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April 1 – The Moon

All about our natural satellite, the Moon, and how it is unusually large for a small planet like Earth, and how its origin may have been much different from the 214 other moons in our solar system.  Also a discussion of all the various interesting features on the Moon, even visible even in a small telescope and how they probably were formed.

Presented by Frank Schenck

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April 8 – The Sun! and the April 8, 2024 Eclipse

Once again, the path of a total solar eclipse will cross the United States, this time on April 8, 2024, moving from the Southwest to the Northeast. Unlike the 2017 total solar eclipse, the 2024 path of totality will touch larger population areas, and has the potential to reach two and a half times the number of people. This talk will review what we know about the Sun, discuss why we have eclipses, what is seen during a total solar eclipse, how to safely view solar eclipses, and how to find resources. Finally, we will look at NASA’s evolving plan for the eclipse.

Presented by Mitzi Adams

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April 15 – Separated at Birth?

People often trace their family’s history to learn where they came from and find long-lost (hopefully wealthy) relatives.  Ever wonder about the origin of our Solar System?  Where was the Sun born? 
Does our Sun have siblings and where are they now?  Join us as we take a fascinating journey through deep time in search of our Sun’s birthplace and her long lost-siblings.

Presented by Eric Silkowski

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April 22 – Kids Night at the Planetarium

Bring your kiddos out for a night at the planetarium specifically for them. We will learn about the moon and try some fun activities for the young (or young at heart).

Presented by Delisa Collette

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April 29 – Radio Observatories

We’ll be taking a look at radio telescopes of the past, present, and future. Radio telescopes have some very interesting designs and have made some extremely important discoveries. Radio Astronomy is even in VBAS’ near future. They’ll be opportunities for you to participate if you are interested.

Presented by Gena Crook

All planetarium shows begin at 7:30pm. Admission opens at 7:00pm. Telescope viewing afterwards on clear nights.

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January 7th – The Planetarium: A Magic Carpet

We can use the star projector in the planetarium to pretend to fly anywhere on Earth – like a magic carpet! Gena Crook will demonstrate the motion of the stars across the sky at the equator, the north pole, and the southern hemisphere. We will also watch how the sun changes positions at these locations. You may be surprised if you haven’t actually been to the equator or the north pole in person! This program will put the star projector to work and allow us to see its unique educational capabilities.

Presented by Gena.

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January 14th – “So you got a telescope for Christmas”

A wide ranging discussion, about types of telescopes, and telescope accessories. Topics such as what
are the best (and cheapest) low power 1.25” or 2” eyepieces? What focal length eyepiece will give you
the best view for deep-sky objects? What eyepiece filters are the best for nebulae, or for planets?
What is atmospheric dispersion, and how can a $130.00 dispersion corrector result in much better views
of the planets.

Presented by Frank

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January 21st – Wandering Stars

To the skywatchers of long ago, the bright stars that moved periodically among the fixed stars were known as the Wanderers. Today we know them as the planets. Right now you can see several bright planets in the night sky. Come and find out more about planet spotting and the various paths they follow.

Presented by Alex.

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January 28th – Kids Night at the Planetarium

Bring your kiddos out for a night at the planetarium specifically for them. We will learn about the moon and try out some fun activities for the young (or young at heart). 

Presented by Delisa.

Astronomer William Herschel

Saturday June 11, 7:30: William Herschel made numerous discoveries that give cause for some to call him the father of modern astronomy. His most famous discovery doubled the size of the Solar System. Come learn about this musician/composer turned astronomer/telescope maker who left forever one of the biggest marks in the history of astronomy. 

Presented by Jared Cassidy, VBAS Planetarium Director

Summer Stars

Saturday June 18, 7:30: Come learn the brightest stars, constellations and star lore, just in time for your next camping trip! We’ll cover the basics: the brightest stars, most prominent constellations, meteor showers, what to do with binoculars or a small telescope, and where to learn more.

Presented by Don Martin

Standing Stones and Sungazers

Saturday June 25, 7:30: In recognition of the Summer Solstice a few days earlier, we will explore how ancient civilizations marked the passage of the year through monuments, monoliths and markers.

Presented by Alex Hall

Don’t miss the Monthly Meeting on Friday, June 17!

7:00 pm for Pizza, 7:30 pm for our speaker, Makaila Jennings, who will give a presentation on “How Distance Affects the Double Dip Transit Photometry Method’s Ability to Detect Exoplanets.”

In our quest of whether there is life outside of our solar system, the focus has been on finding planets known as Super-Earths with Earth-like qualities suitable for life, but large enough for us to see. The purpose of this study is to see how distance affects the double-dip transit photometry method of detecting exoplanets. The procedure is to set up a star-planet system in a large four-foot black box with a color-changing and intensity-changing LED bulb to simulate the star. A Hot Jupiter (foam ball) is suspended from a rotating motor, orbiting close to the star, and a suspended Super-Earth (a bead) orbiting further from the star at three different distances.

Makaila Jennings is a rising High school Junior. She is the winner of the 2021 Alabama Junior Academy of Science paper competition and she represented the State of Alabama at the 60th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Albuquerque, NM. Her research is on “How Distance Affects the Double Dip Transit Photometry Method’s Ability to Detect Exoplanets.” Makaila is also the recipient of the 2020 Angela Award from the National Science Teachers Association.

On Saturday, April 9th, the North Alabama Zoological Society (NALZS) is hosting a Kid’s Festival in Monte Sano State Park.  VBAS will be participating in the festival by presenting planetarium shows featuring the “Zoo in the Sky.”  These 45 minute shows will be presented at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm during the festival.  VBAS will charge it’s regular admission fee of $5 for adults and $3 for students then donate all of the proceeds to NALZS.  No reservations required to attend the shows.

Our planetarium show and star party on March 12th is cancelled due to weather.

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7:30 pm Reservations required.

Go to the Calendar on our website and click on the Saturday you wish to attend to reserve a seat.

Planting by the Moon

March 5, 12, and 26 – 7:30pm, reservation required

Do you use the advice in the Farmer’s Almanac to plant your garden?  Maybe after tonight’s discussion you’d like to try it!  In the planetarium tonight we’ll celebrate the return of spring and investigate the constellations associated with the vernal equinox, i.e. first day of spring.  Get ready for warmer weather, sunny days, and planting seeds for summer. 

Presented by Gena Crook

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Our Moon, Luna

Saturday, March 19 – 7:30pm, reservation required

Come join us for a show about our moon. The presenter will answer questions such as…
What are some of its geological features? What are the two types of eclipses that involve our moon? What value could the moon be to us in the future? After the show, lights will be turned down and the stars brought up on the dome. Special stars and some of the Spring constellations will be pointed out for you. See you there!

Presented by Brenda Rogers

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff?

The Asteroids – Some of the other ‘stuff’ of the Solar System

Presented by Eric Silkowski

February 5, 12, 26. Reservations required.

We’ve all heard the expression “don’t sweat the small stuff.” Normally good advice for living.  With the asteroids, some of the ‘small stuff’ of the solar system, it’s actually a good idea to spend some time thinking about them.  While there are only eight planets, there are millions of asteroids.  Small asteroids buzz planet Earth frequently, and some even fall as meteorites!  Asteroids have been found to contain pristine material from the birth of the Solar System 4.6 billion years ago.  Some asteroids are thought to contain unimaginable riches in precious metals.  Recent space missions have looked at asteroids up close, and some have even snatched samples for return to Earth.  This show will introduce you to the fascinating world of asteroids and explain why scientists do “sweat the small stuff.”

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Magic Carpet Tour

February 19. Reservation required.

With a magic carpet we could travel anywhere we wanted, right? Tonight the planetarium star projector will become a magic carpet and take us to the north pole, the equator, and beyond! Why? So we can see the stars and the sun from different places on Earth. The sun’s path across the sky and the effects it has on earth at different locations might surprise you!

“The Moon“

Saturdays: Jan 8, 15, 29 at 7:30PM

Learn some interesting facts about our planet’s very interesting satellite and how it is unusually large for such a small planet. Learn about the interesting features you can see even with a very small telescope, such as craters, lava plains, mountains, rilles (look like river beds), volcanic domes, and how we think they were all formed.