Pre-registration only: 5:00 to 8:00pm | Walk-ups welcome: 8:00 to 11:00pm
Join us for the Planet Parade at Cranbrook Institute of Science on Saturday, March 1, and witness a breathtaking planetary alignment during this fascinating celestial phenomenon!
A planetary alignment, also known as a conjunction, happens when multiple planets appear close together in the night sky from Earth’s perspective. If you missed the planetary alignment in January, now’s your chance to see Mercury joining Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus in a rare and spectacular planetary lineup!
To prepare our celestial enthusiasts, we’ve created an anticipated visibility timeline to help you witness each planet and other celestial wonders:
- Mercury: 5:00pm to 7:15pm
- Venus: 5:00pm to 8:30pm
- Jupiter: 5:00pm to 1:30am
- Mars: 6:30pm to 4:00am
- Uranus: 7:55pm to 12:00am
- Canis Major: 6:00pm to 1:00am
- Andromeda Galaxy: 7:55pm to 10:30pm
- The Pleiades: 7:55pm to 1:00am
- The Orion Nebula: 7:55pm to 1:30am
- Mizar and Alcor (Big Dipper): 7:55pm to dawn
In addition to the Planet Parade, we will offer an array of out-of-this-world experiences:
- Get Up Close with Space: Peer through the powerful Cranbrook Observatory telescopes to view the aligned planets, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Orion Nebula, and more.
- Discover Michigan Sky Tonight: Immerse yourself in an epic 360-degree planetarium adventure, where you’ll explore the mesmerizing planetary alignment and the awe-inspiring wonders of the night sky. Shows will run from 5:30 to 10:00pm—planetarium tickets sell out fast, so grab yours before they're gone!
- The Science of Archimedes: Unlock the genius of Archimedes at our new traveling exhibit for FREE.
- Stellar Snacks: Grab a snack at our Reflections Café, including sandwiches, wraps, sweet treats, and a variety of hot and cold drinks from 5:00pm to 9:30pm
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This event will run from 5:00pm to 11:00pm. From 5:00pm to 8:00pm, pre-registration is required and will be capped at 350 registrants. Pre-registrants are welcome to join us or stay for any part of the event's duration. From 8:00pm to 11:00pm, walk-ups are welcome. Due to capacity limits, walk-up admission and planetarium tickets are not guaranteed. Pre-registration is highly recommended.
Tickets are non-refundable. Free passes and reciprocal membership privileges are not valid for this event.