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

Planetarium Programs

Planetarium programs run Friday evenings and every Saturday & Sunday.

Special Daily Planetarium Programs

A full weekend schedule will be available daily July 5 through Labor Day.

Planetarium Schedule
11:30am Young Stargazers Sky Journey
12:30pm Invaders of Mars (Ages 5 & Up Only)
1:30pm Michigan Sky Tonight
2:30pm Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
3:30pm Michigan Sky Tonight (Ages 5 & Up Only)
Friday 7pm Invaders of Mars (Ages 5 & Up Only)
Friday 8pm Michigan Sky Tonight
Friday 9pm Rock Around the Dome

(Please note: Macromedia Flash is required to view this trailer. Click here to get the current Flash plugin.)

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.
  • Note: food and drink are not permitted in the planetarium.

Observatory

Friday 8:30 - 10pm Open telescope viewing
(free with museum admission)
Sunday 1 - 4pm Safe Solar Observing
(free with museum admission)

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

This show is available to the general public. It is offered every weekend year round and every day from late June through Labor Day at 12:30 and 2:30pm.
12:30pm Incredible Bats
2:30pm Incredible Bats