Embark on a breathtaking journey to the stars in the new Thomas Planetarium. Through 3-D graphics, surround sound and a dome screen, the planetarium offers a fascinating way to learn about astronomy, the solar system and more.
The planetarium is home to a wide variety of interactive astronomy demonstrations, educational programs and films. Check back regularly for new program announcements.
Buy tickets online or at the museum front desk. Prices do not include museum general admission: You must purchase a museum general admission ticket in addition to your planetarium ticket unless you are a museum member. Seating is limited, so it's recommended that visitors purchase tickets in advance. Planetarium doors close promptly on the hour, so please arrive at least 10 minutes early.
Planetarium show tickets vary from $4 to $10. Museum members receive a $2 discount on planetarium show tickets.
The planetarium has 46 seats and is accessible to people with disabilities.
Astronomy workshops and other planetarium activities are available to school groups September through May.
The Thomas Planetarium features a state-of-the-art Digistar 3 SP2 HD projection system manufactured by Evans & Sutherland Corporation. Our Digistar 3 system generates immersive images on the interior surface of a 180-degree dome that's 24 feet in diameter.
Experience a ride through the snowy forests of Lapland, visit reindeer herds living in the tundra and learn how they survive the extreme cold where no trees can grow. Join an arctic expedition through the eyes of a little boy, as his grandfather guides him on a search for a fox that appears only at night (the Aurora Borealis, according to Sámi legend). Included with museum admission
Dive alongside deep-sea research pioneers to learn about marine biology, underwater geology and the history of deep-sea exploration. Traveling in famous historic submersibles, come face-to-face with fascinating underwater creatures such as vampire squid and pelican eels. Discover how diving vessels make these underwater encounters possible for humans. $4-$6 plus museum admission. Buy tickets online.
Leo’s bored and doesn’t want to do his homework … until he magically falls into his textbook. His travels through art history introduce him to cave paintings, Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh and more. Through digitally animated wooden puppets, this planetarium show entertains children and awakens their interest in art and science. $4-$6 plus museum admission. Buy tickets online.
This multi-media show from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis introduces children and families to the science, technology and history of flight. The show features NASA’s research and advancements that have made space travel possible, along with the important role that engineering models have played in flight development. $4-$6 plus museum admission. Buy tickets online.
Travel back in time and experience the massive volcanic eruptions that shaped the Earth and solar system. Journey to Yellowstone National Park, Neptune’s moon, Triton, and Jupiter’s moon, Io, to witness historic eruptions. Could a supervolcano erupt in our era? Scientists weigh in. $4-$6 plus museum admission. Buy tickets online.
Explore the nature of dark matter, the missing 80 percent of the mass of the universe. The search for dark matter is the most pressing astrophysical challenge of our time. Dark matter will help us understand why the universe is as it is, where it came from and how it has evolved over billions of years. $4-$6 plus museum admission. Buy tickets online.
Lose yourself in Pink Floyd’s rock ‘n’ roll masterpiece “Wish You Were Here.” This full-dome music and light show interprets this classic album through mesmerizing HD graphics. This is not a laser show, but the next generation of computer generated imagery. Audience advisory: Adult subject matter. $10 plus museum admission. Buy tickets online.
Lose yourself in Pink Floyd’s rock ‘n’ roll masterpiece “Dark Side of the Moon.” This full-dome music and light show interprets this classic album through mesmerizing HD graphics. This is not a laser show, but the next generation of computer generated imagery. Audience advisory: Adult subject matter. $10 plus museum admission. Buy tickets online.
Curious about what’s up in the night sky? Take a guided tour through space and time in this live show, customized to highlight current astronomical occurrences. Galaxies, nebulae, binary stars … you name it, we show it to you. Except black holes. No one can see black holes. $4-$6 plus museum admission. Buy tickets online.
Be transported by mood-altering art and 3-D graphics choreographed to some of Led Zeppelin’s biggest hits, including “Whole Lotta Love,” “Immigrant Song” and “Ramble On.” This immersive rock ‘n’ roll experience plays out on the museum's full-dome planetarium screen and features a state-of-the-art sound system. Audience advisory: Adult subject matter. $10 plus museum admission. Buy tickets online.
