Welcome to the Radford University Planetarium

Our upcoming show is "Season of Light" The classic holiday show is from Loch Ness Productions and is intended for all ages! "'Season of Light" describes the legends associated with the stars that appear during the Christmas season such as Orion the Hunter, Taurus the Bull, and Leo the Lion. The show also includes the Star of Bethlehem, Jolly Old Saint Nick, holiday lights and candles. Presents and festivals are also explored in this festive show. This 35-minutes show is narrated by Noah Adams of NPR's "All Things Considered." 

  • Monday-Friday, Nov. 29-Dec. 3 @7pm  
  • Saturday, Dec. 4 @ 10:30am  
  • Monday & Tuesday, Dec. 6 & 7 @ 7pm 
  • Wednesday, Dec. 8 @ 6pm and 7:30pm 
  • Reservations not required. We will fill seats as visitors arrive using covid-safe "family group" spacing. We will continue to seat visitors until we reach our safe capacity. 
  • Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the show to ensure your seat. Once the outer door is closed, we have reached our capacity and can no longer seat anyone else. 
  • Please note that masks are required at all times. 

For shows that require reservations: 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. 

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In order to continue operating in this reduced capacity in these difficult times, we appreciate 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. 
Planetarium location map
Planetarium location map
  • 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: 27 (at some point it will again be 55 visitors post-covid)
  • All shows include a tour of the nighttime sky using our full-dome projection system. Some shows will also have a full-dome, professionally produced show on an astronomical topic. The shows are described below.
  • (Pre- and post-covid: No resesrvations requried for our regular public shows. However, if you have a group of 35 or more please email/call ahead (24+ hours) to be sure there isn't another large group coming for the same show.) 
  • Parking for the 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. 

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