The University of Arizona Flandrau Planetarium, located at 1601 E. University Blvd, offers several summer events to the public. It showcases attractions like light/theatre shows, science exhibits and a large mineral museum..
Flandrau is known for its laser light shows and will hold various sessions all summer until Sept. 2, each include a variety of themes like Laser Stranger Things, which features 80s music and imagery from the television show every Friday and Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
Other music-related shows include Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon which plays every Saturday at 9:00 p.m. and We are Stars which plays at various times throughout the week.
“It [We are Stars] is about the entire process of how atoms are formed from star explosions and seed the galaxy with elements of life,” said Jonathan Schmid, a Planetarium Operator and UA undergraduate studying Astronomy.
Winston Bardsley, a UA undergraduate studying Geosciences and a planetarium employee said that “Tucson Sky & Beyond” is his favorite show.
“We go over the constellations in the night-time sky and then we go into a ‘beyond part’ which goes beyond our solar system where we line up the universe and show how small we are in comparison to all that is around us,” Bardsley said.
Admission into the Planetarium for adults is $16, $12 for minors and free for children 3 and under. Theatre shows are an additional $3 per person.
The planetarium is open 7 days a week to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, Friday 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you are visiting the Planetarium for a tour you can see all of the exhibits, including Destination Mars which features a meteorite from Mars.
The Fossil Corner demonstrates different forms of life that existed long ago. Puzzles, proofs and patterns allows visitors to mathematically try to solve their way out of several games.
In the summer, the Planetarium also has several programs for children including the Discovery Program that enable undergraduate students to teach children about different fields in science. The programs include Marine life, chemistry, insects, Earth science and physics.
Birthday parties can also be hosted and include add on’s such as liquid nitrogen ice cream for additional fees.
Visitors can plan a visit, become a member, watch the shows, learn about the universe and more. For more information on pricing, showtimes and events offered at the Flandrau Planetarium visit Flandrau.org
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