Southworth Planetarium
University of Southern Maine
Located in the Science Building, Portland Campus

Planetarium Show Descriptions

 

ABC
ABC's of the Sky: (4-9): Watch the show that combines outer space with the English alphabet. This show introduces an outer space world for each letter: A for Astronaut; B for Big Dipper; C for comet...all the way to Z for Zodiac. This program presents a wealth of interesting astronomy information for your child in a simple and entertaining way.

ANDROMEDA: See "Light Years from Andromeda"

AURORA (10 - adult):  Have you ever seen the “Northern lights?” 
What causes them?  How often do they appear? Learn the
science and mythology of the Aurora Borealis.  Show includes
an assortment of stunning aurora images.

COMET: (family):  They are feared more than any other night sky object. 
Comets!   They are the ice mountains from the outer solar system.   
How did they form?  What are they made of?  Discover comets for
 yourself in our show  Comet:  From Ice to Fire

DINOSAURS: (family show): An exciting new show about Dinosaurs.
See and learn about the fearsome T-Rex, the Triceratops, the Brontosaurus,
and the wide array of amazing creatures that ruled Earth millions of years ago.

EIGHT PLANETS AND COUNTING: A NEW SOLAR SYSTEM SHOW! (2nd grade and up.) We can now offer a brand new solar system show. Entitled "Eight Planets and Counting," this program takes you on an updated solar system tour. See the recently discovered ice worlds beyond the dwarf planet Pluto; soar over a Martian canyon, descend through the clouds of Titan. If you are studying the solar system, this updated show is for you!

FIRES IN THE SKY (9-adult): From the Big Bang  to the end of the Sun’s life
cycle, we learn how stars work and why they shine.  A fun introduction to
stellar astronomy for the whole family.

IMAGES OF THE INFINITE (10-adult): Explore deep space with the Hubble
Space Telescope.   See the latest images of star clusters, colliding galaxies,
exploding stars and more. 

IN SEARCH OF NEW WORLDS (9-adults): Join us at the cutting edge of astronomy as we search for planets around other stars. At present, astronomers have found scores of these extra-solar planets. How do they find them? How many might there be? Would any of them be like Earth? Are there other life forms, or, the show itself asks, “Are we alone?”

INVISIBLE UNIVERSE: See "Seeing the Invisible Universe."

JUST IMAGINE:  (9-adult):  Have you ever asked the question  “What if?” 
What if Earth had no Moon?  What if our planet were in orbit around a
different type of star?  Well, this show engages the imagination as we try
to envision how our life and Universe could have been completely different.

LIGHT YEARS FROM ANDROMEDA (10-adult): A beam of light leaves the Andromeda Galaxy 2.2 million light years away. During this light's beam journey, humans evolve from the primitive state to modern society. :"Light Years from Andromeda" blends history, anthropology, astronomy and the science of light into one beautiful and amazing program.

LITTLE STAR THAT COULD (4- 9): Follow a little yellow star as it travels through the galaxy in search of planets. During its journey, this little star learns about the many different types of stars that one would find in the Milky Way: from cool red stars to hot blue white stars, double stars and much more.

MARS QUEST 10- adult)  Embark on a quest to the red planet with the Southworth Planetarium.   This program examines the mythology and history of Mars. 
Narrated by Patrick Stewart.

MYTHOLOGY OF THE SKY! (family) Learn the stories of the stars in our star dome theatre. From the warrior Perseus to the conniving Cassiopeia; from the muses of Apollo to the Milky River of the Souls. This live action show takes you on an Odyssey into the mythological sky.

RUSTY ROCKET'S LAST BLAST(4-11):  Join Rusty Rocket and his band of
rocket rookies as  they explore the wonder worlds of the Solar System. 

SEASON OF LIGHT (10-aduilt): Our annual holiday program. Discover the astronomy and the history of the holiday season. What is the origin of the Christmas Tree and the Hannukah Menorah? Why do we celebrate Christ's birth on December 25th? What was the Star of Bethlehem? Join us as we delve deeply into the holiday season.

SEEING THE INVISIBLE UNIVERSE (11-adult) Discover the parts of the Universe that the human eye cannot see: radio galaxies, gamma ray bursters, exploding stars and much more. This show is a perfect introduction to the high energy cosmos.

THE STAR GAZER (9-adult):  Learn the secrets of the stars with Dr. James Kaler. 
How are stars born?  What makes them shine?  Delve into stellar astronomy
with the star gazer. 

STAR STEALERS (children): Join Sam Snork and Ursula Major as they pursue
two star stealers through the galaxy.  During this pursuit, they learn the science
of how stars work.

WORLDS IN MOTION: (family): Ours is a Universe on the move: from planets to
cells; from stars to galaxies.  Discover the many worlds in motion in this fun
family program.

ZUBENELGENUBI'S MAGICAL SKY (pre-school) Spend a half an hour in our star dome theatre with Zubenelgenubi and his friends Tracy the Telephone Pole and Hydro the Fire Hydrant. This show introduces your pre-schooler to the sights of the day time and night sky.

 

 

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ADMISSION PRICES:

Evening Astronomy Shows Adults

$6.00


Children,
 students, seniors
$5.00
 

USM students, faculty,
staff

FREE

Matinee Adults

$5.00

Children,
students, seniors
$4.00

USM students, faculty,
staff
FREE
Double Feature
 
Adults $9.00
for both shows

Children,
students, seniors
 
$8.00
for both shows
 

USM students, faculty,
staff
 
FREE