Radford University Planetarium
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Welcome to the Radford University Planetarium!
The Radford University Planetarium is located in the Center for the Sciences building (925 East Main Street) on the beautiful Radford University campus. The planetarium is the center for astronomy and space science education for the University and the surrounding area. We have regular free public shows and host numerous K-12 and community groups.
Our regular shows are happening throughout the fall semester!
We will continue our regular evening shows on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 7 p.m., and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The evening shows are for all audiences, while the Saturday morning shows - which will still have something for everyone! - will be geared more towards our younger audiences.
We will not have shows over our Thanksgiving break (Nov. 18-26) due to Radford University being closed. We will be closed during Radford University's Winter Break. We will reopen in late January of 2024.
If you have a special group of 20 or more people, and would like to arrange a show, please contact Dr. Rhett Herman, rherman@radford.edu, and I will try my best to make that happen (if possible).
Season of Light
The holiday season is upon us and it's time for our traditional holiday show "Season of Light." All shows are free and everyone is welcome.
“Season of Light” describes the legends associated with the stars and constellations that appear during the Christmas season such as Orion the Hunter, Taurus the Bull, and Leo the Lion. Narrated by Noah Adams of NPR’s “All Things Considered” and appropriate for all ages, the show explores the stories and legends of the season including the Star of Bethlehem, Jolly Old Saint Nick, holiday lights and candles, the traditions of gift-giving, and solstice festivals.
After a brief exploration of the current night sky, the full dome show itself is 35 minutes long.
Season of Light
- Tuesday Nov.28 @ 7pm
- Thursday Nov. 30 @ 7pm
- Friday Dec. 1 @ 7:30pm (later start due to Christmas Parade in Radford)
- Saturday, Dec. 2 @ 10:30am
- Sunday, Dec. 3 @ 5:00pm
- Wednesday Dec. 6 @ 7pm
- Thursday, Dec. 7 @ 6pm and 7pm.
- Location: Center for the Sciences room M75 (Main Street level). Enter through the doors from Parking Lot C. Click on the map for a larger image.
- All shows are free and everyone is welcome to come join us!
- Seating capacity for now: 50
- Shows include a tour of the nighttime sky using our full-dome projection system. Most shows will also have a full-dome, professionally produced show on an astronomical topic. The shows are described below.
- Parking for the evening (7pm) and Saturday morning shows in Lots C and B is free.
- Parking for daytime shows:
- There are 4 metered spaces in Lots C and B, next to the Center for the Sciences.
- There are also several metered spaces in the portion of Parking Lot A that lies directly between Martin Hall and Main Street.
- You can also pick up a free parking day pass by dropping by the Radford University Parking office in Heth Hall, or the Radford University Police Station (intersection of University Drive and Main Street).
- We have hearing-assist receivers for our sound system--please bring your own earphones (1/16 inch [3.5mm] stereo jack).
- No food or drinks allowed in the planetarium!
For more information, contact Planetarium Director Dr. Rhett Herman at rherman@radford.edu.
Schedule a Group Visit
We will resume special showings once the current crisis is resolved. Once that happens, special group showings for groups of 20 or more people may be arranged by contacting Dr. Rhett Herman at rherman@radford.edu (email preferred) or calling 540-831-5441.