Gladwin Planetarium
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.
Planetarium shows are included with admission (and Members are always free), but capacity is limited. Listen for the announcement on the speaker system in our exhibit halls inviting you to line up in front of Space Sciences 10 minutes in advance of each show. First come, first served. No late entry is granted. The planetarium is not ADA accessible; visit our accessibility page for more information. Interested in other astronomy events? Visit our astronomy calendar.
Want even more access to the planetarium? Members enjoy monthly shows on special topics after hours.
Please be advised that in rare cares, a live show may be replaced with a recorded show on another topic if a presenter is unavailable.
Visiting in summer? Jump to the summer schedule lower on the page.
Spring Schedule: March 22–May 31
Weekdays
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1:30 PM – Spring 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 spring, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
Weekends
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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!
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12:00 PM – Cosmic Origins: A Journey Through Time
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes)How did the universe go from a hot, dense explosion to the breathtaking cosmos that we see today? Let’s journey through time, from the fiery birth in the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies, stars, and our own solar system. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
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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.
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3:00 PM – Spring 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 spring, along with any upcoming astronomy events like meteor showers, comets, or eclipses. This presentation includes live Q&A with the presenter.
Summer Schedule: June 1–September 1
Weekdays
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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!
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12:00 PM – The Birth of Planet Earth
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.
(recommended for ages 5 and up; 30 minutes) -
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.
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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.
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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.
