We are delighted to welcome visitors back to the Planetarium!
Planetarium shows run 45-60 minutes. In addition to the show itself, we have a small exhibit area and a gift shop with books, toys, and, of course, Astronaut ice cream.
COVID Safety: Face masks are optional in all campus buildings including in the Planetarium. Raritan Valley Community College will continue to review its mask-wearing guidelines as warranted.
Plan to arrive early! Planetarium shows start promptly. Late admission is not allowed. Arrive 20-30 minutes before your show starts to purchase your tickets and look at the exhibits.
Parking: The closest parking lots are #9 and #1. Walk up the stairs to get to the Planetarium entrance. Call the Planetarium if you need handicapped parking.
Admission: $10 per person for one show, $18 per person for two shows back to back
Make a reservation: Reservations are recommended. All ticket sales are done at the door on the day of the show.
Call 908-231-8805
Email planet@raritanval.edu (Please provide your name, phone number, which show(s) you’d like to see, and how many tickets you’d like.)
Contact: planet@raritanval.edu for more information or with any questions.
Please Note: Planetarium laser shows include loud music, flashing lights, and rapidly moving graphics, all in a dark environment, and therefore may not be recommended for those who are sensitive to these conditions or have a medical condition that could be exacerbated by them.
Countdown to the Eclipse
There will be a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. Its path will run from Mexico, through Texas, up to Buffalo, NY and Vermont. New Jersey will see about 90% of the Sun covered by the Moon. Join us to learn about moon phases, solar eclipses, and learn how to watch an eclipse safely. Our astronomy shows in January, February, and March will include a 5-minute presentation about what a solar eclipse is and how to view it safely. Solar Eclipse glasses are available to purchase at the Planetarium’s gift shop.
The RVCC Planetarium will be closed Friday, April 5 – Monday, April 15 so all our staff can travel to the path of totality and watch the Total Solar Eclipse. For other viewing options for the Eclipse click here.
Sensory - Friendly Shows
The Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Planetarium in Branchburg offers special astronomy and music shows designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum or those with developmental disabilities. These sensory-friendly shows, which are appropriate for audiences of all ages, will provide a comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. During the show, the doors will remain open so children may freely leave and return if they choose. Lights will be left dim (instead of dark) and the audio will be lowered and kept at a consistent level.
Cost: $10 for one show, $18 for two shows
908-231-8805
Sensory-Friendly Planetarium Shows
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| The Sky Above (sensory friendly), Saturdays, February 3, March 2, May 4, 5:00 pm A special astronomy and music show designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum or those with developmental disabilities. These sensory-friendly shows, which are appropriate for audiences of all ages, will provide a comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. During the show, the doors will remain open so children may freely leave and return if they choose. Lights will be left dim (instead of dark) and the audio will be lowered and kept at a consistent level. “The Sky Above” show includes music, laser lights, stories, and information about the planets, the Moon and constellations. Content is presented on a kindergarten level. |
Special Events
Special Events
| Sunset Meditation, Fridays, January 12, February 9, March 8, April 19, May 10, 7:00 pm Relax under the starry skies in the Planetarium while experiencing a guided meditation. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) |
| Just for Youngsters, Saturdays, January 27, March 30, May 4 We have astronomy and music programs for families with kids ages 3 and older. 3:00 pm is “Rockin’ Rocket Ride.” 4:00 pm is “Lasers for Littles” music and laser concert. |
| DATE NIGHT - SOLD OUT Romancing the Stars, Wednesday, February 14, 7:00 p.m. For ages 16 & older (no children, please) It’s date night at the Planetarium! Enjoy a light-hearted look at the Universe. Stars, constellations, songs, and stories all celebrate love. This Valentine’s Day evening program is for adult couples only, please. A similar program on Saturdays is open to everyone. |
| DATE NIGHT Laser Love, Wednesday, February 14, 8:00 pm This laser concert celebrates LOVE! Songs include “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher, and “Tale as Old as Time” from Beauty and the Beast. The Valentine’s Day evening performance is for adult couples only, please. Saturday is open to everyone. |
| Exploring the Underground Railroad with Codes, Saturdays, February 18, 25, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. *FREE ACTIVITIES* Explore hands-on activities inspired by codes found in the song “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and in quilt squares to learn more about astronomy and the Underground Railroad, a secretive network of people and places that helped thousands of enslaved people move northward as far as Canada to escape slavery. Participants may explore hands-on activities and view displays about nature, codes, and African Americans who have made a difference. (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
| The RVCC Planetarium will NOT be open for the solar eclipse on April 8. |
| Astronomy Day and Centennial of Planetariums, May 18, 2:00 – 5:00 pm, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Join us for hands-on activities celebrating Astronomy, Science, and 100 years of Planetariums! Observe the Sun (safely) and the Moon through our telescopes. Use your body to tell time on a sundial. The 3M Observatory will be open for solar observing during the day and peeks of the Moon and other celestial objects in the evening sky. The event is appropriate for families with children ages six and older. Activities are free. Planetarium shows and laser concerts are an additional cost. |
April 2024
The RVCC Planetarium will be closed Friday, April 5 – Monday, April 15 so all our staff can travel to the path of totality and watch the Total Solar Eclipse. For other viewing options for the Eclipse click here.
Cost: $10 for one show, $18 for two shows back to back
908-231-8805
April Planetarium Shows
| Date | Time | Show | Ages |
| Fri., April 19 | 7 pm | Sunset Meditation | 10+ |
| Sat., April 20 | 3 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 4 pm | Laser Kids laser concert | 6-12 | |
| 7 pm | Forward to the Moon | 10-adult | |
| 8 pm | Laser Classic Rock | ||
| Sat., April 27 | 3 pm | Perfect Little Planet | 6-12 |
| 4 pm | Laser Kids laser concert | 6-12 | |
| 7 pm | Forward to the Moon | 10-adult | |
| 8 pm | Laser Classic Rock |
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| Sunset Meditation, Friday, April 19, 7:00 pm How do STEM workers, NASA professionals, athletes, and business executives cope with stress? Mindfulness. Meditation is a powerful tool for maintaining psychological health and resilience. Since the planetarium offers a dark and quiet space for relaxation, it is the perfect place for meditation. Enjoy a guided meditation experience in the comfortable, reclined seats in the RVCC Planetarium. View an amazing sunset as you travel from the Grand Canyon to the North Pole. Then relax under a night sky filled with stars and glimpses of the Northern Lights. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) |
| Perfect Little Planet, Saturdays, April 20, 27, 3:00 p.m. A family from another star system is seeking the perfect vacation spot. Fly over the surface of Pluto, our best known dwarf planet; sail through the rings of Saturn; feel Jupiter’s lightning storms; and walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination will they choose? (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
| Laser Kids laser concert, Saturdays, April 20, 27, 4:00 p.m. Sing along while lasers dance on the dome overhead. Songs include “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, and “Can’t Stop this Feeling” by Justin Timberlake. (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
| Forward to the Moon, Saturdays, April 20, 27, 7:00 p.m. *New Show!* Kari Byron from Crash Test World and MythBusters launches us on a journey beyond the Earth towards a sustainable future in space. NASA’s 21st Century Artemis program, named after the Greek moon goddess and twin of Apollo, is the next step in our mission to explore the universe. This program will also include an introduction to the stars we can see in tonight’s sky. If the skies are clear enough, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) |
| Laser Classic Rock, Saturdays, April 20, 27, 8:00 p.m. The 1970’s is the theme for this laser concert. You’ll recognize all these songs from the albums and cassettes you may still have at home. “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” by BTO, “Heart of Glass” by Blondie, “You Took the Words Right Out of my Mouth” by Meatloaf are some of the hits you’ll hear tonight. |
May 2024
Cost: $10 for one show, $18 for two shows back to back
908-231-8805
May Planetarium Shows
| Date | Time | Show | Ages |
| Sat., May 4 | 3 pm | Rockin’ Rocket Ride | 3-8 |
| 4 pm | Lasers for Littles | 3-8 | |
| 5 pm | The Sky Above, sensory-friendly program | all ages | |
| 7 pm | Astronomy Tonight | 8-adult | |
| Fri., May 10 | 7 pm | Sunset Meditation | 10+ |
| Sat., May 11 | 3 pm | Accidental Astronauts | 6-12 |
| 4 pm | Laser Pop Rock, Saturdays | 6-12 | |
| 7 pm | Out There: A Quest for Extraterrestrial Worlds | 10-adult | |
| 8 pm | Pink Floyd’s The Wall laser concert | ||
| Sat., May 18 | 3 pm | Accidental Astronauts | 6-12 |
| 4 pm | Laser Pop Rock | 6-12 | |
| 7 pm | Out There: A Quest for Extraterrestrial Worlds | 10-adult | |
| 8 pm | Pink Floyd’s The Wall laser concert |
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| Rockin’ Rocket Ride, Saturday, May 4, 3:00 pm Put on your space suit and blast-off into outer space to visit the Moon, Sun and planets. A lively experience for young people with selected music from "Journey Into Space" by Jane Murphy. (Recommended for ages 3-8) |
| Lasers for Littles, Saturday, May 4, 4:00 p.m. Our youngest audience members are encouraged to sing along with songs by a variety of artists. Songs in this fun laser concert include “Kalien the Alien” by mr RAY, “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon” from Sesame Street, “Fruit Salad” by the Wiggles, and “Baby Shark.” (Recommended for ages 3-8) |
| The Sky Above, sensory-friendly program, Saturday, May 4, 5:00 pm Welcome to a comfortable and judgement-free zone to learn some astronomy. This sensory-friendly astronomy and music show is specially designed for families with children on the Autism spectrum and other developmental disorders. Neurotypical children are welcome as well. The program is presented on a kindergarten level, but all ages are welcome. Enjoy music, laser lights, stories, and information about the planets, Moon, and constellations. During the show, the doors remain open so children may leave and return if they choose. Lights are kept dim (instead of dark) and music is at a consistent level. |
| Astronomy Tonight, Saturday, May 4, 7:00 p.m. Using the Planetarium’s DigitalSky digital theater, experience a guided tour of the stars and constellations of the night sky. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 8 to adult) |
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| Sunset Meditation, Friday, May 10, 7:00 pm How do STEM workers, NASA professionals, athletes, and business executives cope with stress? Mindfulness. Meditation is a powerful tool for maintaining psychological health and resilience. Since the planetarium offers a dark and quiet space for relaxation, it is the perfect place for meditation. Enjoy a guided meditation experience in the comfortable, reclined seats in the RVCC Planetarium. View an amazing sunset as you travel from the Grand Canyon to the North Pole. Then relax under a night sky filled with stars and glimpses of the Northern Lights. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) |
| Accidental Astronauts, Saturdays, May 11, 18, 3:00 p.m. Robo-kids Cy, Annie and their dog Armstrong get a lot more than they expected from their class field trip in an impromptu adventure. Travel along exploring the Sun, Earth and Moon, with a witty starship computer as navigator and guide. Race along on the surface of the Moon! Collect an asteroid sample in low gravity! Survive a solar storm! Find new appreciation for the unique beauty of Earth. Journey along with the Accidental Astronauts in this epic dome theater adventure. (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
| Laser Pop Rock, Saturdays, May 11, 18, 4:00 p.m. Lasers dance across the dome while we listen to songs you can sing along with like "Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Jae Jepsen, and "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift to name just a few. (Recommended for ages 6-12) |
| Out There: A Quest for Extraterrestrial Worlds, Saturdays, May 11, 18, 7:00 p.m. For thousands of years, we thought that we were the center of the Universe. Since then, science has taught us an astonishing amount about our cosmos. But even before we knew that our Sun was just one of many ordinary stars out there, people began to question if we were alone in the Universe. It’s possible that someone or something is, at this very moment, looking in our direction and asking the very same question. In its infinite nature, the Universe must have had endless possibilities to create other places like Earth. It is not the question of whether life exists elsewhere, but where we will have to look, and how we will find it — out there. (Recommended for ages 10-adult) |
| Pink Floyd’s The Wall laser concert, Saturdays, May 4, 11, 18, 7:00 p.m. This classic laser concert features hits from the band’s popular album including “Another Brick in the Wall,” “Hey You,” and “Comfortably Numb.” |
June 2024
No public shows in June. Public shows resume in July.
