VBAS

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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February 7th – Rainbows and Unicorns: Spectral wonders of Monoceros

For reasons unknown, Rainbows and Unicorns naturally belong together. Everyone is delighted to see a rainbow in the sky, and who wouldn’t love to see the elusive unicorn? Join us on Saturday night and learn to spot the heavenly unicorn, Monoceros, prancing through our winter sky. Be warned: you may be enchanted as we reveal the manifold secrets of this mythical beast via the magical rainbow of astronomical spectroscopy.

Presented by Eric Silkowski

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February 14th – Jupiter and Saturn

In observance of Jupiter’s close approach to the Earth (opposition), join us for an evening about our solar system’s gas giants!

Presented by Haley Rice

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February 21st – Rainbows and Unicorns: Spectral wonders of Monoceros

For reasons unknown, Rainbows and Unicorns naturally belong together. Everyone is delighted to see a rainbow in the sky, and who wouldn’t love to see the elusive unicorn? Join us on Saturday night and learn to spot the heavenly unicorn, Monoceros, prancing through our winter sky. Be warned: you may be enchanted as we reveal the manifold secrets of this mythical beast via the magical rainbow of astronomical spectroscopy.

Presented by Eric Silkowski

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February 28th – What Is the Universe Hiding?

Although stars and galaxies fill the night sky, most of the universe is made of something we cannot see. Dark matter reveals itself only through its effects, shaping galaxies and holding cosmic structures together. Follow the clues astronomers use to uncover this hidden mass and explore why one of the universe’s most dominant components remains unknown.

Presented by Maggie Sexton

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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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January 3rd – Standing Stones and Sungazers

In recognition of the Winter Solstice we will explore how we believe ancient civilizations marked the passage of the year through monuments, monoliths and markers and learn about the astronomical causes of all the motions.

Presented by Alex Hall

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January 10th – Jupiter and Saturn

In observance of Jupiter’s close approach to the Earth (opposition), join us for an evening about our solar system’s gas giants!

Presented by Haley Rice

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January 17th – Magic Carpet

Our star projector can help us pretend to fly anywhere on Earth – like a magic carpet! See the motion of the stars across the sky at the equator, north pole, and southern hemisphere. 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! We will put the star projector to work and use it to show its unique educational capabilities.

Presented by Gena Crook

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January 24th – CANCELED!

No show due to weather.

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January 31st – Artemis II – Humanity’s journey back to the Moon

NASA with support from its commercial partners is setting the stage for a historical journey back to the Moon. In a few days, four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence on the Noon for science and exploration through Artemis. The 10-day flight will help confirm systems and hardware needed for early human lunar exploration missions. Join us to learn about the Artemis program and the upcoming launch.

Presented by Naveen Vetcha

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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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December 6th – Star of Wonder

What was the star that the Magi saw? Join VBAS educator Beth Bero for this family-friendly program that explores the history, science and wonder of a special star. Followed by a look at our current night sky under the planetarium dome.

Presented by Beth Bero

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December 13th – Star of Wonder

VBAS actors tell the Christmas Story told from the perspective of the three wise men. The journey the wise men took that first Christmas comes to life as they detail their quest to find the Christ Child and answer a very basic question: what could cause that star to shine so brightly? Children 12 and under will receive a goodie bag of toys and candy.

Presented by Don Reed, Jared Cassidy and Tom Burlington

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December 20th – Star of Wonder

VBAS actors tell the Christmas Story told from the perspective of the three wise men. The journey the wise men took that first Christmas comes to life as they detail their quest to find the Christ Child and answer a very basic question: what could cause that star to shine so brightly? Children 12 and under will receive a goodie bag of toys and candy.

Presented by Don Reed, Jared Cassidy and Tom Burlington

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December 27th – Standing Stones and Sungazers

In recognition of the Winter Solstice we will explore how we believe ancient civilizations marked the passage of the year through monuments, monoliths and markers and learn about the astronomical causes of all the motions.

Presented by Alex Hall

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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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November 1st – Spooky Skies

Boo! Join us for a fun and child-friendly look at the scarier side of the autumn night sky. Learn about ancient traditions based on observations of the night sky and take a look at some scary nebulas! Costumes for ages 12 and under welcome. Treats available after the show.

Presented by Beth Bero

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November 8th – The History of VBAS

In honor of VBAS 70th Anniversary our program tonight will highlight some of the history of our organization.

Presented by Gena Crook

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November 15th – Stars Fell on Alabama

Come celebrate our Alabama heritage as seen through the lens of meteorites and meteor showers! Objects both large and small have landed in Alabama, both in deep history and more recently. Learn how we observe such occurrences every night and how you can search for rocks that fall on Alabama.

Presented by Beth Bero

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November 22nd – William Herschel

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

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November 29th – NO SHOW

VBAS Planetarium Closed for Iron Bowl

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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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October 4th – 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 Crook

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October 11th – The Universe is Trying to Kill You

Beyond the calamities that face us here on our planet, there are other forces in the universe that can do us in. Since our planet formed, it has been under constant threat of annihilation from both terrestrial and extraterrestrial influences. Disastrous terrestrial events pale in comparison to what lies out in the solar system and beyond that could cause our ultimate demise, such as giant meteors, comets, asteroids, exploding stars, and more. Join us as we take a somewhat lighthearted look at the dark shadow of doom that awaits us from within our solar system and the deep recesses of the universe.

Presented by Jared Cassidy

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October 18th – Spooky Skies

Boo! Join us for a fun and child-friendly look at the scarier side of the autumn night sky. Learn about ancient traditions based on observations of the night sky and take a look at some scary nebulas! Costumes for ages 12 and under welcome. Treats available after the show.

Presented by Maggie Sexton

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October 25th – Spooky Skies

Boo! Join us for a fun and child-friendly look at the scarier side of the autumn night sky. Learn about ancient traditions based on observations of the night sky and take a look at some scary nebulas! Costumes for ages 12 and under welcome. Treats available after the show.

Presented by Beth Bero

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