Gladwin Planetarium

Ongoing

Inside our theater, the stars are always out. Our expert Astronomy Programs presenters are ready to answer your questions during interactive live presentations. Get to know the stars of Santa Barbara, the universe, and the wonders of space. Our Evans & Sutherland Digistar 7 dual-projection system with 4K resolution allows us to provide exciting, immersive educational adventures. Members enjoy quarterly shows on special topics after hours. The planetarium is not ADA accessible; visit our accessibility page for more information. 

Planetarium tickets are free with admission (and admission is free for Members). Tickets are available at the planetarium 20 minutes before the showtime. We recommend coming early to ensure a ticket, and seating is first come, first served. No late entry is granted.

Visiting after September 1? Check out our fall schedule.

Summer Schedule: June 1–Sept. 1

Weekdays  

  • 11:00 AM – The Night Sky for Little Dippers
    (recommended for all ages; 15 minutes)

    This 15-minute presentation is targeted at young audiences with different topics at every show. Come back again and again with your little one to build up their enthusiasm and excitement for space!

  • 12:00 PM – The Birth of Planet Earth
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    How did Earth become a living planet in the wake of our solar system’s violent birth? What does its history tell us about our chances of finding other worlds that are truly Earth like? Birth of Planet Earth tells the twisted tale of our planet’s origins.

  • 3:00 PM – Exploring Summer Skies
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara in summer, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.

Weekends 

  • 11:00 AM – The Night Sky for Little Dippers
    (recommended for all ages; 15 minutes)

    This 15-minute presentation is targeted at young audiences with different topics at every show. Come back again and again with your little one to build up their enthusiasm and excitement for space!

  • 12:00 PM – Discovering Moons: Earth's and Beyond
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Have you ever wondered what makes a moon a moon? In this live presentation, we’ll explore how Earth’s Moon was formed, why it still orbits our planet, and how it compares to other moons across the solar system. This presentation includes a live Q&A with the presenter.

  • 2:00 PM – El Nacimiento del Planeta Tierra
    (se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 30 minutos)

    ¿Cómo se convirtió la Tierra en un planeta vivo tras del nacimiento violento de nuestro sistema solar? ¿Qué nos dice su historia sobre nuestras posibilidades de encontrar otros mundos que sean verdaderamente como la Tierra? El Nacimiento del Planeta Tierra cuenta la historia de los orígenes de nuestro planeta.

  • 3:00 PM – Exploring Summer Skies
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara in summer, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.

Fall Schedule: Sept. 2–Dec. 20

Weekdays  

  • 1:30 PM – Fall Skies Over Santa Barbara
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara in fall, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets or eclipses. This live presentation includes a Q&A with the presenter.

Weekends 

  • 11:00 AM – The Night Sky for Little Dippers
    (recommended for all ages; 15 minutes)

    This 15-minute presentation is targeted at young audiences with different topics at every show. Come back again and again with your little one to build up their enthusiasm and excitement for space!

  • 12:00 PM – Space Oddities
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Take a tour of the weird and wonderful in space! From our cosmic backyard to the farthest reaches of our galaxy, we’ll see all the space oddities our universe has in store. This live presentation includes a Q&A with the presenter.

  • 2:00 PM – Mensajeros del Tiempo y el Espacio
    Película en español con subtítulos en inglés
    Spanish-language movie with English subtitles
    (se recomienda para edades de 5 años y arriba; 30 minutos)

    Explora la forma como el Observatorio Internacional Gemini y el Observatorio Rubin revolucionarán nuestra comprensión del cosmos. Este espectáculo muestra la forma en la que Gemini trabajará colaborando con otros observatorios que vigilan el cielo nocturno en buscando explicar los acontecimientos astronómicos que cambian con el tiempo.

  • 3:00 PM – Fall Skies Over Santa Barbara
    (recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)

    Join us for a tour of tonight’s sky. We’ll learn about the constellations and planets visible in Santa Barbara in fall, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets or eclipses. This live presentation includes a Q&A with the presenter.

More Exhibitions