Public Planetarium Shows:
"Astronomy Nights" are held on the first and third Thursday of each month that the university is in session. Astronomy Night activities are appropriate for ages 7 and up. The program begins with an indoor public planetarium show at the John R. Kirk Planetarium. Tickets are REQUIRED for the planetarium show. There is a suggested ticket price of $5 per seat. A second show will be offered if the first show reaches capacity. After the planetarium show, Smolen Observatory will be open for telescope viewing only if the sky is clear (tickets are not required at the Observatory). Call the Observatory at 845-257-1110 to hear a message indicating if the public viewing has been canceled due to cloudy weather. Visitors can participate in either the planetarium show, observatory telescope viewing, or both.
Tickets for Astronomy Night Planetarium shows become available one week prior to each show.
Astronomy Night telescope viewing begins shortly after sunset and therefore the start time changes according to the seasons. The current Astronomy Night schedule is as follows:
| Season | Dates | 2023 - 2024 Dates | Planetarium show times |
Observatory open (if sky is clear) |
| Fall | September – Daylight Savings Time ends (mid-November) | Sept. 7 Sept. 21 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Nov. 2 |
7:30 p.m. (and 8:30 p.m. if necessary) | 8:30-10:30 p.m. |
| Winter |
Daylight Savings Time ends (mid-November) – Daylight Savings Time begins (mid-March) *Bonus show on Nov. 30 There will be no shows in late Dec. through January due to the University’s winter break. |
Nov. 16 Nov. 30 Dec. 7 Feb. 1 Feb. 15 March 7 |
6:30 p.m. (and 7:30 p.m. if necessary) | 7:30-9:30 p.m. |
| Spring |
Daylight Savings Time begins (mid-March) – May
|
March 21 April 4 April 18 |
7:30 p.m. (and 8:30 p.m. if necessary) |
8:30-10:30 p.m. |
| Summer |
May - August Additional summer dates TBD |
May 2 |
8:30 p.m. (and 9:30 p.m. if necessary) |
TBD Call (845)257-1110 for info |
Tickets for all Astronomy Night Planetarium shows become available one week before each show and must be purchased online. There is a suggested ticket price of $5 per seat. There is a limit of 5 tickets per group. Printed or digital tickets must be presented at the door for admission. We will no longer be issuing tickets at the door. Tickets are void if presented after the start time listed on the ticket - latecomers will NOT be seated.
If you have accessibility questions or require accommodations to fully participate in planetarium shows, please contact Raj Pandya at pandyar@newpaltz.edu as soon as possible.
Planetarium Shows
- Planetarium shows are appropriate for ages 7 and up.
- Tickets are required for public planetarium shows.
- Planetarium shows take place in a dark indoor domed theater.
- Please arrive before the start time. Latecomers will not be admitted.
- For large groups (5 or more) we recommend that you schedule a private show at the Planetarium.
- The Planetarium is located in Coykendall Science building lobby.
Observatory Viewing
- A typical viewing night at Smolen Observatory will include a planet or two, star clusters, binary stars, and nebulae.
- Observatory visitors will spend most of their time outdoors. Be sure to dress appropriately; it always feels colder when you are standing still for long periods of time.
- Visitors of any age are welcome at the Observatory, but we ask that younger children be under adult supervision at all times.
- The Observatory is wheelchair accessible.
- You may come and go to the Observatory as you please during the viewing time.
- Tickets are not required for the observatory viewing.
- Once the viewing has begun the outdoor lighting surrounding the Observatory will be turned off. Be prepared to walk to and from your vehicle in the dark.
- There are no restroom facilities at the Observatory.
- Scout troops, school groups, etc. are welcome to attend the public viewing nights. We do appreciate you letting us know in advance so that there are not too many groups present in one night.
- The Observatory is located in the Alumni Soccer Fields on the south side of the campus.
Private Planetarium Shows:
The Planetarium is available for private shows, such as for corporate, civic, scouting organizations, family trips, etc. Teachers are welcome to arrange a visit to the Planetarium as a field trip activity. Please contact the Planetarium Director at pandyar@newpaltz.edu to set up a private show.
- Planetarium shows are appropriate for ages 7 and up.
- There is a flat rate of $125.00 per show for private showings.
- Seating is limited to a maximum of 43 people without social distancing.
- Shows are typically 45 minutes in duration.
- The show’s content can be customized for your group.
- Shows can be geared to any age group from children age 7 through adults.
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Virtual planetarium shows:
August 2021 Planetarium Show recording
Mini virtual planetarium show - June 10, 2021 Sunrise Eclipse
May 2021 virtual planetarium show
Late April virtual planetarium show (In Spanish)
Late April virtual planetarium show (In English)
Click here for the early April virtual planetarium show
Click here for the late March/Vernal Equinox virtual planetarium show
Click here for the mid February virtual planetarium show
Click here for the December 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the late November 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the early November 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the late September/Autumnal Equinox 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the early September 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the early August/Perseid Meteor Shower 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the comet NEOWISE/Late July 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the early July 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the late June/Summer Solstice 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the early June 2020 virtual planetarium show
Click here for the May 2020 virtual planetarium show
Donate to the Planetarium
To subscribe to our email list and receive information about events at the Planetarium and Observatory, send an email to astronomy-events-subscribe@newpaltz.edu
