Frequently asked questions

• Can I bring young children?

  We have had very young children enjoy the show before, but keep in mind that the subject matter in Friday night shows is at the college level. We do not have any firm guidelines on children. If a child can remain reasonably quiet for the 75 minute show time, then it's fine for them to attend our general audience shows.

  If your child has more difficulty sitting quietly for 75 to 90 minutes or may have less familiarity with astronomy, feel free to bring them to one of our occasional Saturday morning family shows. These shows are a bit shorter and the content is geared toward our younger visitors. During this show, we might show you fulldome images of planets in our solar system, explain what a constellation is and tell you the mythology behind one or two constellations currently visible, teach you about the different phases of the moon, or introduce you to the night sky. This is fun for the whole family! The film portion of this show is a fun adventure into space with a Polar Bear and a Penguin, which is enjoyable for everyone.

• Can I reserve a seat for a show?

  We do not currently take reservations for seats in the planetarium.  Seating is first come, first serve and we recommend you arrive about 15 minutes before the show to be sure to get a good seat.

• How early should I arrive?

  We recommend you arrive 15 to 20 minutes before show time.  On most Friday evenings, the mineral museum and anthropology museum are open from 5 to 8 p.m., so there are other places to visit in the building if you arrive even earlier.

• How long is the show?

  Most public shows run about 50 to 75 minutes. Young astronomer shows are one hour long.

• How much does it cost to attend a show?

  Admission to public shows and lectures is free but donations are welcome. Your donations help us to fund our public shows and outreach programs. We never sell tickets to these shows and any online posts you see for ticket sales are scams.

  Planetarium shows for non-Wayne State classes and organizations (school group, scout troop, etc.) are $100 per show/group to cover the cost of staffing and supplies. Payment is accepted on the day of the show.

  Make a group reservation

• Is there an accessible/handicap entrance?

  Our accessible entrance ♿️ is located on Warren Avenue.

  Main entrance 🏫: Enter the Old Main Building from the Cass Avenue entrance, walk down the stairs and continue straight ahead. You'll see our beautiful murals and the double doors of our planetarium on your right, suite 0209!

• What are the general policies?
  • Food and drink are not permitted in the planetarium.
  • Once a show has started, if you must leave, re-admittance will not be allowed.
  • Be sure all electronic devices are silenced and dimmed during the show.
  • Shows start promptly when scheduled, late admittance is not allowed.
• What is the seating capacity?

  Our planetarium seats 60 people. We have 57 seats with armrests and room for three wheelchairs or armless chairs for people who need alternative accommodations.

  K-12 group shows

  If your group exceeds this, we suggest that you pair your visit to our planetarium with the Phantastic Physics Phenomena. While half of your group is in the planetarium, the other half will be watching physics demos and then we'll switch.

• Where can I find a show schedule?

  WSU Planetarium shows are posted on both the Events Calendar and the Get Involved (or app).