New Jersey Astronomy Center for Education

PLANETARIUM

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picture inside the planetarium

 
 
at RVCC
Public Star Shows
tunnel into planetarium


*
Laser Concerts

* Star Shows & Laser Concerts
* Just for Kids
* Special Events
* Admission / General Policies
* Directions to the Planetarium
* Contact Us

New Technology allows for a new way to stargaze at RVCC!
“Breathtaking.”  “Awesome.”  We are the first large planetarium in New Jersey to install a digital projection system. Six powerful, high definition projectors combine real images and computer animations to create an immersive "you-are-there" style experience. With DigitalSky 2, audiences feel as though they are zooming through the solar system, past the Milky Way, and to the very edges of the universe.  Featured in all of our shows.

 

STAR SHOWS & LASER CONCERTS:

All shows run approximately 40 minutes.
Admission:$6 for one show, $11 for two shows on the same day

Call 908-231-8805 for reservations!

 

Winter Schedule
Saturdays, January 9 - March 20, 2010

3:00 p.m. Earth, Moon, Sun and Coyote  (for families with children ages 7-12)
We begin with a brief tour of tonight's night sky.  Then we share a story about the Earth Moon & Sun.  Coyote has a razor-sharp wit, but he’s a little confused about what he sees in the sky.  Join this amusing character (adapted from Native American oral traditions) in a fast-paced and fun, full-dome show that tells Native American stories, explores lunar phases, eclipses, and other puzzles.  Engaging and immersive, “Earth, Moon & Sun” also examines how humans learn through space exploration. 
4:00 p.m.

Laser Lite  2010
Features the Beach Boys, ELO, and Jonas Brothers

7:00 p.m.

Winter Skies
The brightest stars of the year are clustered in the winter night sky.  Learn how to use Orion as a guide to finding other stars and constellations this season.  Venus and Saturn are both visible in the evening.

8:00 p.m. Rock Laser Concert * 8 p.m. shows use the unedited, album versions of songs which may include some language not heard in radio versions.  These shows are not recommended for younger audience members.
 
                 -      Dark Side of the Moon (Jan 9, Feb 6, March 6)
                  -      Laser Coldplay (Jan 16, Feb 13, March 13)
 
                 -      Laser Picks – hear different artists and songs each month
                       (Jan 23, Feb 20, March 20)
                  -      Laser Zeppelin (Jan 30, Feb 27)

 



JUST FOR KIDS

All shows run approximately 40 minutes.
Admission: $6 for one show, $11 for two shows on the same day

Call 908-231-8805 for reservations!

Saturdays, January 9 - March 20, 2010

3:00 p.m. Earth, Moon, Sun and Coyote  (for families with children ages 7-12)
We begin with a brief tour of tonight's night sky.  Then we share a story about the Earth Moon & Sun.  Coyote has a razor-sharp wit, but he’s a little confused about what he sees in the sky.  Join this amusing character (adapted from Native American oral traditions) in a fast-paced and fun, full-dome show that tells Native American stories, explores lunar phases, eclipses, and other puzzles.  Engaging and immersive, “Earth, Moon & Sun” also examines how humans learn through space exploration. 

Sunday, January 10, 2010
2:00 p.m.

Tycho to the Moon (recommended for ages 5-10)
Meet Tycho, a curious dog who wants to go to the Moon.  Blast off on an amazing ride.  Learn about the night and day, space travel, the phases of the Moon, and features of the lunar surface. 

3:00 p.m.

Laser Kids (recommended for ages 7-12)
Listen to songs such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “God Bless the USA” while lasers draw pictures on the dome overhead.

4:00 p.m. Secret of the Cardboard Rocket (recommended for ages 6-10)
Two children tour the solar system in just one night with the help of their astronomy book.

Monday, February 15 (Presidents' Day)
1:00 p.m.  The Little Star that Could (recommended for ages 6-12)
Join Little Star, an average yellow star, as he meets other colorful stars in our galaxy during his quest for a name and a planet to call his own.  After the story, we’ll discover some of the stars and constellations we can see in tonight’s sky.
2:00 p.m. Laser Kids (recommended for ages 6-12)
Listen to songs such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “God Bless the USA” while lasers draw pictures on the dome overhead.

Sunday, February 21, 2010
2:00 p.m. Rockin’ Rocket Ride (recommended for ages 3-8)
Put on your spacesuit and blast off into outer space!  Catchy songs teach us about the planets and moon rocks.  We’ll also discover what stars are in tonight’s sky.
3:00 p.m. Sky Lights (recommended for ages 3-8)
Our youngest audience members can sing along with songs by mr. RAY (Kalien the Alien) and Jane Murphy (Moon Rock Rock).  Some songs are illustrated with lasers while others are music videos.
4:00 p.m. Rockin’ Rocket Ride   (recommended for ages 3-8)

Sunday, March 14, 2010
2:00 p.m. Earth, Moon, Sun and Coyote  (for families with children ages 7-12)
We begin with a brief tour of tonight's night sky.  Then we share a story about the Earth Moon & Sun.  Coyote has a razor-sharp wit, but he’s a little confused about what he sees in the sky.  Join this amusing character (adapted from Native American oral traditions) in a fast-paced and fun, full-dome show that tells Native American stories, explores lunar phases, eclipses, and other puzzles.  Engaging and immersive, “Earth, Moon & Sun” also examines how humans learn through space exploration. 
3:00 p.m. Laser Kids (recommended for ages 6-12)
Listen to songs such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “God Bless the USA” while lasers draw pictures on the dome overhead.
4:00 p.m. The Problem with Pluto (recommended for ages 7-12)
We begin with a brief tour of tonight's night sky.  Then we'll follow Lucy on her trip through the solar system as she gathers data on Pluto's status as a planet.  Discover current information about the planets and investigate where Pluto belongs in the overall structure of our solar system.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010
1:00 p.m. Rockin’ Rocket Ride (recommended for ages 3-8)
Put on your spacesuit and blast off into outer space!  Catchy songs teach us about the planets and moon rocks.  We’ll also discover what stars are in tonight’s sky.
2:00 p.m. Sky Lights (recommended for ages 3-8)
Our youngest audience members can sing along with songs by mr. RAY (Kalien the Alien) and Jane Murphy (Moon Rock Rock).  Some songs are illustrated with lasers while others are music videos.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010
1:00 p.m.

Tycho to the Moon (recommended for ages 5-10)
Meet Tycho, a curious dog who wants to go to the Moon.  Blast off on an amazing ride.  Learn about the night and day, space travel, the phases of the Moon, and features of the lunar surface. 

2:00 p.m.

Laser Kids (recommended for ages 7-12)
Listen to songs such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “God Bless the USA” while lasers draw pictures on the dome overhead.


Sunday, April 18, 2010
2:00 p.m.

mr RAY, Live in Concert (recommended for ages 1 and older)
mr. RAY, singer & songwriter, is back in the planetarium for a fun-filled, rockin' concert.  Get ready to clap and sing along to favorites like ROY G BIV and Kalien the Alien.
Admission: $8 per person for ages 1 and older.  Call for reservations.

3:00 p.m.

mr RAY, Live in Concert (recommended for ages 1 and older)
mr. RAY, singer & songwriter, is back in the planetarium for a fun-filled, rockin' concert.  Get ready to clap and sing along to favorites like ROY G BIV and Kalien the Alien.
Admission: $8 per person for ages 1 and older.  Call for reservations.


Sunday, May 16, 2010
2:00 p.m. Rockin’ Rocket Ride (recommended for ages 3-8)
Put on your spacesuit and blast off into outer space!  Catchy songs teach us about the planets and moon rocks.  We’ll also discover what stars are in tonight’s sky.
3:00 p.m. Sky Lights (recommended for ages 3-8)
Our youngest audience members can sing along with songs by mr. RAY (Kalien the Alien) and Jane Murphy (Moon Rock Rock).  Some songs are illustrated with lasers while others are music videos.
4:00 p.m. Rockin’ Rocket Ride   (recommended for ages 3-8)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Romancing the Stars  
Friday, February 12, 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
A light-hearted look at the Universe.  Stars, constellations, songs, and stories all celebrate love.

$15 per couple (ages 18 & older)
Reservations are highly recommended.

JUST FOR KID


Admission / General Policies

  • Admission is $6.00 per person, per show, all ages, unless otherwise noted.
  • See two programs on the same day and get $1 off the second show.
  • Try a laser concert with 3D glasses for an additional $2
  • Same night Star Show and one Laser Concert for $11.00
  • Groups of 15 or more see both for $10.00 per person
  • No one is admitted into the planetarium after a show or concert has started; by order of the Fire Marshall.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before show time. Shows and Concerts must start on time.
  • General seating tickets will be held until 10 minutes before show time at the Planetarium Gift Shop.
  • Reservations do not guarantee a seat if you are late for the show or concert.
Reservations are recommended for all shows by calling the Planetarium @ 908-231-8805. 

RVCC is located between Routes 78 and 22.  Click here for directions to the College.

On campus, park in Lot #7 or #1 and proceed up the steps to the Planetarium.
  Raritan Valley Community College Updated 1/12/2010 by ACG