Planetarium Shows

The Abbitt Planetarium is open for PUBLIC SHOWS on select days.

NOTE: General Admission is required. Planetarium ticket can be reserved as an add on.

Cost: VLM members FREE (but must reserve seat), non-members $6 with general admission

Groups up to 40 people may reserve tickets in regularly scheduled shows. PRIVATE SHOWS must be reserved for groups of 41 to 71 guests. For a list of available shows for private groups, please visit the Group Planetarium Shows page here.

Daily tickets can be purchased at the front desk or through the website using the links below. For questions on group Planetarium shows please call the Reservations Office at 757-595-9135, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4:30 pm. Large groups are encouraged to book their tickets in advance, as seating for regularly scheduled shows is limited. Private planetarium shows must be booked at least 7 days in advance.

List of Scheduled Shows

Planetarium shows will occur Wednesday, Friday – Sunday.

When choosing a showtime, please click one of the below links and navigate to the selected time area of the page, then click Other times: to reveal other ticket options. Clicking on the intended time will allow you to reserve tickets for that show time.

Dates	Planetarium Program
August 19 – September 3 (Fri, Sat, Sun & Weds only)	The Pluto Show (11:30am) Impact! (12:30pm) Virginia Skies (1:30pm)
August 16 & 18	The Pluto Show (11:30am) Impact! (12:30pm) Beyond the Night (1:30pm)
September 4 (Labor Day)	The Pluto Show (11:30am) Impact! (12:30pm) Virginia Skies (1:30pm)
September 9 – November 19 (Saturday & Sunday)	Virginia Skies (12:30pm) Phantom of the Universe (1:30pm)

Description of Shows

Virginia Skies

Explore the evening skies above Virginia in this classic planetarium presentation. A staff astronomer will discuss seasonal constellations as well as any planets visible. Additional topics may be explored depending on celestial happenings around the time of your visit.

Phantom of the Universe

What is dark matter? How can we detect it? Where is it found? Explore these questions and more in this stunning fulldome movie. Recommended for ages 10 and up

The Pluto Show

What happened to Pluto? Why is it no longer considered a planet? What is it now? Explore the answers to these questions and more in this fascinating planetarium program. Recommended ages 10 and up.

Impact!

Impact! is a fulldome planetarium show that teaches about meteors, meteorites, asteroids, and comets. It includes results from recent NASA missions and about the dangers they can pose to life on Earth.
Recommended for ages 10 and up.