Pre-registration only: 5:00 to 8:00pm | Walk-ups welcome: 8:00 to 11:00pm

Join us and members of the Warren Astronomical Society for the Planet Parade at Cranbrook Institute of Science on Saturday, March 1, and witness a breathtaking planetary arrangment during this fascinating celestial phenomenon!

If you missed the planet parade 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.