Public Shows

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Tickets are required for all planetarium and live animal programs. Observatory activities are included with admission.

Planetarium programs are offered every Friday/Saturday night, and Saturday/Sunday during the day.

Beginning July 5, the Acheson Planetarium will debut a new schedule!

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These shows are for general admission visitors. School groups and other groups may attend regularly scheduled public astronomy or entertainment shows, but are limited to 35 people per program. Private astronomy or entertainment shows for up to 75 people can be scheduled weekday mornings and afternoons throughout the school year. Further information is available on our For Teachers Web page.

VISITOR'S TIPS

• Programs begin promptly. We suggest you arrive an hour before showtime. Always leave yourself enough time to park the car, purchase tickets, check your coats and strollers, visit the restrooms, etc.
• Planetariums are not like movie theaters. Planetariums are too dark to allow audience members to come and go as they please (it is dangerous and disruptive). Latecomers will not be admitted.
• Visit the restrooms before the program begins. Once the lights go down, visitors can leave, but are not permitted to reenter (see above).
• Planetariums are great places for kids, but to recreate a nighttime environment the planetarium theater has to be dark. Note that strollers are not permitted.
• Please turn off cell phones, beepers and other noisy electronic or light emitting devices while inside the theater.
• No children under the age of 12 are permitted in the planetarium unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Note: food and drink are not permitted in the planetarium.

Observatory

The observatory is open every Friday/Saturday from 8:30 - 10pm during daylight savings and 7:30 - 10pm during standard time.  It is also open the first Sunday of the month from 1 - 4pm for safe viewing of the sun.  Observatory hours are subject to change based upon the current or expected weather conditions.  For specific information about observatory hours, please call ahead at 248 645.3200, and press 0.

The Sun & Moon

Lunar Phase

Solar Activity

Will the sky by clear?
Below is a link to an indicator that attempts to show at a glance when, in the next 48 hours, clear and dark skies are expected for Cranbrook Institute of Science.

The forecast data comes from a numerical weather model run by Canadian Meteorological Centre.

Click on the link then read from left to right. Locate a column of blue blocks. That is when the sky will likely to be clear and dark.

Cranbrook Institute of Science Clear Sky Clock

LIVE Bat Programs

Saturday: 12:30 and 2:30pm

Sunday: 1:30 and 2:30pm