Acheson Planetarium

AT CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE

The Acheson Planetarium at Cranbrook Institute of Science is an intimate fulldome theater that allows you to immersively explore and experience the universe in rich color and detail.  

Step beneath the dome of the Acheson Planetarium and watch the universe come alive. A planetarium is a theater designed to recreate the night sky indoors, using advanced projection to surround you with stars, planets, and galaxies in motion - no telescope or clear skies required. 

Here, that technology becomes something more: Stars ignite overhead, galaxies swirl in vivid color, and music-driven shows turn sound into spectacle. Equal parts classroom and cosmic stage, it’s a place where curiosity expands, imagination takes orbit, and the universe is always within reach. 

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MOBILE PLANETARIUM  

We bring the planetarium experience to your location! 

Embark on an out-of-this-world adventure in our portable digital planetarium! Explore the night sky, distant stars, planets, constellations, and so much more!

All planetarium programs offered at Cranbrook Institute of Science are also available year-round with our Acheson Mobile Planetarium, except for SpacePark360 and SpacePark360: Lucid Dreaming Edition.

Requirements

• Minimum 14' ceiling and 30' diameter floor space.
• Must be on the first level of the venue.

See how each program aligns with Michigan Standards!

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EDUCATIONAL SHOWS

PRESCHOOL – 2ND GRADES

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
Earth & Space Science

Join Big Bird, Elmo, and Hu Hu Zhu on an exciting discovery of the Sun, Moon, and stars. Find the Big Dipper and the North Star and take an imaginary trip that explores the differences between the Moon and Earth. Then join them back on Earth to celebrate the idea that even though they live in different countries, they still share the same sky.

Young Stargazers Sky Journey
Earth & Space Science

We’ll make the sky turn dark and sprinkle it with stars in this interactive show. During the program, your students will embark on a mesmerizing and educational journey through space watching the Moon change phases, tell stories by playing with connect-the-dot stars, and travel to the eight planets in our solar system – and even Pluto! This is a live-narrated program.

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KINDERGARTEN – 4TH GRADES 

Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
Earth & Space Science

Join two young adventurers as they turn an old cardboard box into a rocket and blast off on an out-of-this-world experience to the most amazing places in the solar system! On the journey, visit the planets in our solar system and learn what makes each one unique. This program is available in either a 30- or 40-minute format.

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3RD - 9TH GRADES

Dinosaurs at Dusk
Earth & Space Science

Take to the skies and discover the origins of flight with a father and his teenage daughter who share a fascination for all things that fly. Navigate with them across continents, meet the ancestors of modern-day birds (the feathered dinosaurs), and experience the cataclysmic “last day” of the dinosaurs.

Earth’s Changing Climate
Earth & Space Science 

Students will examine how clouds and gases in our atmosphere affect climate, and how wind and ocean currents modify climate on a global scale. We’ll discover how ice cores tell us what the climate was like hundreds of thousands of years ago, see how global temperatures have changed in the last 125 years, and what the future may hold if current trends continue. Together, we’ll explore what may be causing climate change and how it could affect the future of our planet. Could Earth end up like Venus or Mars? This is a live-narrated program.

Michigan Sky Tonight
Earth & Space Science

What will we see when I go outside tonight? What’s happening on Saturn? What are the latest hot topics in astronomy? Michigan Sky Tonight is a live-narrated program about what’s happening in the current night sky and in the universe of astronomy, from constellations to comets, planets to nebulae. This program is updated weekly to reflect the latest astronomical discoveries or topics of interest.

Night Sky Objects & Beyond
Earth & Space Science 

Find the Big Dipper, North Star, planets, constellations, and more in the current sky. Observe the apparent motion of the sky and venture into interstellar space to explore our starry home – the Milky Way Galaxy – in stunning 3D! This partially live-narrated program is updated weekly to reflect the latest astronomical discoveries or topics of interest.

Stars of the Pharaohs
Earth & Space Science 

Travel to ancient Egypt to see how science was used to tell time and align huge buildings. Learn about the connection the ancient Egyptians felt with the stars and various astronomical phenomena and see some of the most spectacular temples and tombs of the ancient world recreated in their original splendor.

The Great Lakes & Beyond
Earth & Space Science 

Water is plentiful here in Michigan, including the beauty and majesty of the Great Lakes as well as countless other smaller bodies of water. Our water resources are not infinite, and they must be wisely cared for, thoughtfully preserved, and meticulously improved to ensure they can sustain use and enjoyment for current and future generations. We’ll answer the questions: “Does water exist elsewhere?” “If not now, did it in the past?” “Will it in the future?” “What do the other planets in our solar system tell us about water here on Earth?”

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4TH – 9TH GRADES

Reason for the Seasons
Earth & Space Science 

Could the seasons and the ever-changing night sky be linked? Find out in this dynamic, live presentation demonstrating why the start of the seasons depends on your location on Earth, as well as Earth’s position around the Sun. Observe the Sun’s altitude and daily motion from various latitudes and discover why your favorite constellations aren’t visible every night. This is a live-narrated presentation.

Season Changes & Moon Phases
Earth & Space Science 

Discover the reason for the seasons and learn why the start of the seasons depends on your location on Earth, as well as Earth’s position around the Sun. Observe the sun’s altitude, daily motion from various latitudes, visit Mars, discover the phases of the moon, and uncover the mysteries of both solar and lunar eclipses. This is a live-narrated presentation.

Solar System Exploration
Earth & Space Science 

Through this in-depth experience, explore the planets in our solar system, from their formation billions of years ago, to the current robotic missions sent to unlock their secrets. Learn about the latest discoveries of comets, moons, and icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt and beyond. See what the planets look like in the night sky and how they move along their orbits over time. This is a live-narrated presentation.

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5TH – 9TH GRADES 

Stories in the Stars
Earth & Space Science 

Travel to the Isle of Crete where the legends of Zeus, Hercules, Orion, Perseus, Medusa, and many others come to life. The Ancient Greeks and Romans may not have understood the nature of the stars, but they certainly had vivid imaginations as they created their mythological legends and stories while looking at them. This is a live-narrated presentation.

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6TH – 9TH GRADES +

Cosmic Colors: An Adventure Along the Spectrum
Earth & Space Science 

Journey with us across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Discover the many reasons for color – why is the sky blue, or why is Mars red? Take a tour within a plant leaf and journey inside the human eye. Investigate x-rays by voyaging to a monstrous black hole and then back to your doctor’s office. You will even see the actual color of a dinosaur based on recent evidence. 

Evolution of the Stars
Earth & Space Science 

Learn about the evolution of the stars, the Sun in particular, in this energetic, informative program. From the turbulent cauldron of their birth, through the multitude of cataclysmic ways they can meet their end, discover the many untold secrets of the stars. This is a partially live-narrated program.

From Dream to Discovery: Inside NASA Engineering
Engineering

Experience the challenges of the next generation of space exploration in this immersive program. By using exciting, real-life projects like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and the New Horizons mission to Pluto, the show highlights the extreme nature of spacecraft engineering and the life cycle of a space mission – from design and construction to the rigors of testing, launch, and operations. Blast off and take the voyage with us! This program also contains an interactive segment that allows participants to assist in the design of a virtual space mission. From Dream to Discovery is made possible by the generous support of the Baiardi Family Foundation. 

Natural Selection
Life Science 

Join young Charles Darwin on his adventurous voyage of exploration. Witness the thrill of scientific discovery by seeing the world through Darwin's eyes, make observations of the most beautiful natural scenery, and let the pieces of the scientific puzzle fall into place. Darwin himself reveals the simple and most beautiful mechanism that explains the evolution of all life on Earth: Natural selection.

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