Planetarium Shows

Visit the planets, travel to a black hole, observe spinning galaxies or study the Earth from space in the Virginia Living Museum’s 71-seat Abbitt Planetarium Theater. Using our state-of-the-art digital full-screen projection system, we can recreate the many wonders of the universe, including the stars and constellations of the sky for any season of the year – all from the comfort of an armchair.

All daytime programs cost $4 plus Museum admission. VLM members are admitted free to day-time programs.

The Abbitt Planetarium is open:

Memorial Day through Labor Day: Daily

October through May: Wednesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays

Planetarium is closed for annual maintenance this year September 5-29.

List of Shows

Virginia Skies

Ongoing: days and times vary. Check the calendar.

Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.

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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.

Eclipse 2017

Now through Sept. 4. Check the calendar.

Recommended: ages 10 and above

Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.

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The Great American Eclipse is coming! In August, the United States will experience a rare and marvelous event – a total eclipse of the Sun. Join us for this timely program that will give you all the information you need to know about how, when and where to view this astronomical spectacle safely.

Saturn: The Ringworld

May 27 – Sept. 4. Check the calendar.

Recommended: ages 10 and up

Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.

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September 15th, the Cassini spacecraft will end its 20-year odyssey with a spectacular plunge into Saturn. Join us in the planetarium as we celebrate the incredibly successful Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its rings and moons. Featuring some of the intrepid spacecraft’s best images, you won’t want to miss this stunning fulldome presentation.

Kaluoka’hina

May 27 – Sept. 4. Check the calendar.

Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.

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Kaluoka-hina The colorful inhabitants of Kaluoka’hina, an enchanted reef with magic to protect against humans finding it, live in peace until a volcano erupts and the spell is broken. Can a young sawfish and his pal restore the magic?

Spirit of America

July 1- July 31. Check the calendar.

Recommended: ages 6 and up

Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.

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Join us in the Abbitt Planetarium for a celebration of America. Spirit of America mixes great patriotic music with America-inspired rock & roll and songs that have defined American music. Rock on to great artists like John Fogerty, Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood and so many, many more.

This program made possible by Heck Industries.

Show Playlist

God Bless America by Celine Dion
Hoedown by Aaron Copeland
Centerfield by John Fogerty
Fifties Medley by Various Artists
The Star Spangled Banner by KISS
The World’s Greatest by R. Kelly

Servicemen on Parade by Aaron Copeland
Standing Outside the Fire by Garth Brooks
Pink Houses by John Cougar Mellencamp
Only in America by Brooks & Dunn
State Medley by Various Artists
God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood

Solar System Odyssey

July 22 – Sept 4. Check the calendar.

Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.

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“Solar System Odyssey” is a character-driven adventure set in the future, in a time when humans have depleted the resources of their home planet. A business tycoon recruits our hero, Jack Larson, on a mission to discover a new home for humans to colonize. The journey takes Jack, an important stowaway, and you on an exciting exploration of our cosmic neighborhood, including the icy rings of Saturn, Jupiter’s volcano-ridden moon Io and the sub-zero methane lakes of Saturn’s moon Titan. Can humans find another place to settle before the Earth becomes unlivable? And what will happen to our home planet? Find out in this wild solar system adventure! This program made possible by The Morehead Planetarium and NASA.

Laser U2

Aug 1 – Sept 4. Check the calendar.

Recommended: ages 6 and above

Cost: VLM members free, non-members $4 plus Museum admission.

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The ultimate band from Ireland’s ultimate laser show! Featuring classic U2 hits like “Pride (In the Name of Love),” “New Year’s Day,” “October” and many, many more, this show will astound you with its awesome laser effects!