Bringing Astronomy to Life!
The Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium is dedicated to sharing the excitement of science and space with everyone. All posted programs are approximately an hour in length and open to the public. Our shows are a pefect family and kids activity, place to meet friends, go out for a date, or book a group event. Weekly programs range from thought provoking science, light-hearted music and laser shows, and engaging films, and are available for affordable private reservations at your convenience. You can check out our public show schedule for the titles, descriptions, and times of upcoming public shows. Can't make a public show time or want to see a different program? You can also email/call to book us for private programs any day of the week or time and browse our show catalog.
Buy Tickets HereMonthly Planetarium Events
Constellation Talks
Explore the Wyoming Skies! Learn more about the constellations, meteor showers, planets, and other celestial events that are up right now. Each show has a timely highlight event like eclipses, comets, or seasonal deep sky objects. Rooftop observatory tours available at 8pm after the show!
Live Science Talks
A live science presentation with custom immersive visuals in the planetarium covering special topics in space sciences, new astronomical discoveries, and exploration. Our students, faculty, staff, and visiting presenters develop these programs from scratch and take questions and meet the audience at their understanding level to take you on an informative journey.
Educational Films
Our catalog of immersive educational films vary on topics from space science, exploration, history, culture, astronomy, alien life, climate, and more. Many films feature stunning real life fisheye and VR photography that transport you to beautiful and interesting locations but also have breathtaking scientific visualization artwork and animation. The dual 4k projectors deliver twice as much total resolution as a digital IMAX theater.
Music Shows
Watch the planetarium dome melt into a "Liquid Sky" and come alive with color, patterns, and navigate the universe all set the rhythm, melodies, and harmonies of your favorite music. Custom visuals preformed live and playlists updated weekly. Laser Shows play dazzling and vivid professionally made art and patterns to set playlists from your favorite artists while we take you on a scenic and taseful cosmic voyage.
Plan a Field Trip to the Planetarium
Private planetarium shows provide an unforgettable and engaging K-12 field trip experience! Our skilled staff offers interactive presentations tailored to any grade level, ensuring every student's learning goals, content standards and attention is captured. Including Astronomy, we have also developed programs in all Natural Sciences with topics in Atmosphereic Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, Geography, Meteorology, Oceanography, Physics, and more. Fill out the Field Trip/Private Show Request form to get started and the Planetarium Coodinator will work with you to make a custom, interactive, immersive learning experience.
Private shows are also available to the general public and a great activity for families, kids, friends, team building, group events, birthday parties, or a stellar date night. Advanced notice is required to confirm your program but generally we can accomodate K-12 field trip, UW classes, and private show requests any day of the week or time when we don't have a posted public show.
The request form does not take payment and is not binding, the planetarium coordinator will personally respond and work with you to make sure you have the best visit possible before confirming your show. Payment can be done at the show or afterwards.
You can also combine your planetarium field trip with a visit to some of UW’s other impressive attractions like the:
Can’t visit in person? Inquire about an outreach trip where we can bring telescopes, meteors, and space science to you!
Visit the Planetarium
Come visit us! The UW Planetarium is located in the sub-basement of the Physical Sciences Building on the west side of campus. The Physical Sciences building is located at the (would-be) intersection of Fremont and 10th street. For evening and weekend shows enter at the south-west entrance of Physical Sciences closest to the classroom building as all other doors will be locked. Follow the signs down a level to our lobby and another level to our main entry. The planetarium is located under SCI-DIY with an elevator and stairs. The planetarium is wheelchair accessible. View the interactive campus map.
Parking
UW Planetarium not responsible for parking tickets, towing, or vehicle damage.
- 9th or Ivinson Street Parking - generally free after 6pm and weekends. Extremely limited free street parking during school hours so check for City of Laramie Permit only signs 6am - 6pm M - F.
- Ivinson Parking Garage 3rd floor free after 5pm and weekends, otherwise ~$2.25/hr up to 2 hrs, check individual meter.
- Park at Free South Shuttle Parking Lot and ride UWyo Bus to 9th St stop - shuttle operates every 10 minutes M-F during UW business days.
social media and feedback
Follow us for the latest updates and leave reviews or other feedback!
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.