Welcome to the Radford University Planetarium

We're back!!

We have settled on the protocols that will help to keep everyone as safe as possible while still offering shows for everyone. Our shows for the next few weeks - until at least mid-October - will be Monday-Friday at 7:00pm. We will have our first show on Monday, September 20. We will also have our popular Saturday morning kids' shows starting on Saturday, September 25, at 10:30am. 

• The evening shows the week of September 20-24 will be a sky tour, along with the stunning, short full dome show "Journey to the Center of the Milky Way" (JCMW). JCMW starts at the great telescopes in the high /clilean desert, and ends by exploring hte black hole that is lurking at the center of our galaxy.
• Starting Monday, September 27, the evening shows will center around "Exoplanets." Come join us as we learn about the planets in our solar system, and then about planets beyond our solar system and how astronomers find them.  This show was produced by the Casper Planetarium. 
• The Saturday morning kids shows will feature the popular "Max Goes to the Moon." Max the dog and his human Tori take a science-filled trip to our moon, and discuver what awaits us there as we prepare to return to our nearest celestial neighbor. 

Here are the protocols for you and your group to attend a show: 

• Please email planets@radford.edu with your name, your phone number, the date of the show that you would like to attend, and the total number of people in your covid-family group. with the names of all people in their group including their own name, and the total number of people in their group. 
  • We will have an absolute maximum number of 27 people in any single group so that we may socially distance people accordingly. 
    
• You must receive a confirmation email in order to attend any show. Please bring that email with you and show the planetarium operator when you arrive (on your phone, with a printout, etc.). We will reply to all emails as soon as we can, with the show that you can attend, so please be patient with us.
• If the show that you initially request is full, we will reply to your email with that information and ask if you could pick another date. 
• Please note that everyone ages 5 and older must wear a properly fitting face mask in the planetarium at all times regardless of vaccination status. This mask must cover both your nose and your mouth. Masks may not be removed at any time. If someone does remove their mask during a show, they will be asked to leave immediately.

In order to continue operating in this reduced capacity in these difficult times, we need your assistance. Please be advised of the following:

• The Commonwealth of Virginia and Radford University have a masking requirement. Additional information is available at https://www.radford.edu/content/radfordcore/home/reopening/mask.html  
• Radford University is requiring physical distancing in any and all situations where possible.  For the Planetarium, we can arrange seating so that families can sit with each other, but non-family individuals and groups will be seated with at least five feet of physical distancing. We will have available seats clearly marked. 
  
• Radford University is advising anyone who is ill or feeling ill to remain at home. 
• We know this is difficult, but we ask for your patience and assistance as we attempt to navigate these challenging times.