Planetarium

The BlueScope Steel Planetarium is the major public planetarium in New South Wales.

Seating 70 guests, the Planetarium allows us to see how the stars and planets appear in the sky from any location on Earth, at any time from thousands of years in the past to thousands of years in the future.

Click here for the planetarium panorama

We are currently offering a range of planetarium shows for the public and groups, as well as a live planetarium option for group bookings. These shows are full-dome video format - a new style of presentation where the images surround the audience

Note: Current weekday show offerings are listed below

Secret of the Cardboard Rocket

Designed for young children, but enjoyed by everyone, "Secret of the Cardboard Rocket" follows the adventures of two children who build a rocket from a cardboard box and travel through the solar system. Filmed in full-dome it is visually immersive, fun and educational. The show lasts for 45 minutes.

Oasis in Space

Discover the solar system and explore the locations in the Universe where water may be found with this visually exciting full-dome production from Spitz Space Systems. This show has a duration of 30 minutes and is suitable for all ages.

Origins of Life

Origins of Life is an inspirational journey through time, and a celebration of life on Earth. It features many recent discoveries related to life science; demonstrating that if there ever was a time that science made its greatest advances, it is right now.

Two Small Pieces of Glass - The Amazing Telescope

TSPOG is a production of the International year of Astronomy. It discusses telescopes from Galileo to the monster telescopes of the future in a way which is understandable for all ages.

Into the Deep

New oceanography show - description coming

Nanocam

Journey with two students into the Nanocam to visit the world of the very small. This is an immersive microscopy adventure unlike any other planetarium experience. Designed to catch the imagination of all ages.

Cosmic Journey

Cosmic Journey is a visually spectacular show which uses the most spectacular images from the world's great telescopes to discuss astronomy beyond the solar system.

Attack of the Space Pirates

Visually spectacular, this 'star wars' like mystery show is designed primarily for entertainment although there is quite a bit of astronomy amongst the science fiction. Only shown during school holidays it is not recommended for children below 10 years old. Below is the producer's description.

Hidden somewhere in the vast reaches of space is an alien technology so powerful that it threatens the very galaxy itself. A gang of rogue pirates will stop at nothing to find that technology and unleash its awesome power against the rest of the universe. Now, only one valiant ship stands between the pirates and their total domination of space. It's a race against time for the Starship Intrepid as it seeks to find the alien technology first while defending itself against the attack of the space pirates!

This show is rendered in a stunning photo-realistic style, one that will not only transport you into the stars, but to the very edge of the galaxy itself. Embark on a thrilling adventure that has something for everyone: alien planets, exploding stars, black holes, evil villains and a series of space battles that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Natural Selection

Join the young Charles Darwin on an adventurous voyage of exploration circumnavigating the World with the HMS Beagle.

In Victorian times many physical phenomena were already discovered and described by natural laws, but life's most eloquent mechanism was still unknown:

How could new species arise to replace those lost in extinction ?

Witness the thrill of scientific discovery by seeing the World through Darwin's eyes, make observations of the most beautiful natural scenery and let the pieces of the scientific puzzle slowly but surely fall into place.

Touching the Edge of the Universe

Four hundred years after Galileo Galilei’s ground-breaking discoveries, two sophisticated scientific satellites are launched into the universe. These complex space telescopes will look at very distant events in space that our eyes cannot see. They will observe the birth of stars and planets and look back to the very beginning of time. Touching the Edge of the Universe brings the secrets of the distant cosmos direct to you. Multi-media presentation. 30mins Years: 7-12

Natural Selection - Darwin's Mystery of Mysteries

Join the young Charles Darwin on an adventurous voyage of exploration circumnavigating the World with the HMS Beagle. In Victorian times many physical phenomena were already discovered and described by natural laws, but life's most eloquent mechanism was still unknown: How could new species arise to replace those lost in extinction? It was time for someone to stand up and come forth with a Naturalist explanation of this mystery of mysteries. Witness the thrill of scientific discovery by seeing the World through Darwin's eyes, make observations of the most beautiful natural scenery and let the pieces of the scientific puzzle slowly but surely fall into place.
Multi-media presentation. 30mins Years 7-12

Search for the Edge of The Solar System

In 2009 a new NASA probe called IBEX started collecting charged particles from distant space to map the extent of Sol's atmosphere beyond the planets. Join two tech-savvy students as they discover the many ways the sun protects and nurtures Earth's inhabitants. Its past and future are examined in dramatic full dome.Multi-media presentation. 30mins Years 7-12

Nine Planets and Counting

How many planets are there in our solar system? Nine, right? Or is it eight? Maybe it's ten, or twelve, or more. Take a tour to explore the variety of objects that populate our solar system. And just what IS a planet, anyway? The answer may surprise you.
Multi-media presentation. 35mins Years 5-12

Sizing Up Space

Sizing Up Space is a full-dome program that explores the scale of the universe.
Topics: The Light year, Scale of the Universe.
Multi-media presentation. 10mins Years 4-12

Clockwork Skies

Clockwork Skies explores the patterns of motion and time in our skies such as: Daily Motion (what causes day and night), Moon Phases, Orbits, The Solar System.
Multi-media presentation. 5mins Years 5-12

Perfect Little Planet

(35min, recommended for Preschool - Year 5) Imagine the ultimate space holiday! What if you could travel the galaxy to find that ideal place? Discover our solar system through a new set of eyes – a family from another star system seeking the perfect vacation spot. Fly over the surface of Pluto, our best known Dwarf Planet. Dive over the ice cliffs of Miranda. Sail through the rings of Saturn. Feel the lightning storms at Jupiter. And walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination would you choose? This is a must-see Space journey for all keen space travellers!

Live Planetarium Shows

As an option for group bookings, live planetarium shows may be adapted for a wide range of ages. Groups seeking an astronomy focus may have a live planetarium show adapted to their needs. Live planetarium shows may also be available for both public and group bookings on advertised night sessions.

**Please note, the planetarium is not the only tool we provide for groups with an astronomy focus. Topics in the school syllabus such as "stellar evolution" may be covered using a large collection of stellar images and activities such as spectroscopy.**

The Laser Concert

The laser concert, although not an event with an astronomy focus, is held in the planetarium once a day on weekends and school holidays. The laser concert features a high power laser being used to draw sharp, colourful images to illustrate a desired selection of music. "Laser Fun" and "Laser Magic" are shows suitable for almost every age featuring a comfortable mix of music. Other available laser shows include The Beatles and Pink Floyd and delightful classical concert - "Dance of Light".

Current Show Schedule

Afternoon Planetarium Shows for 2013 (3pm)

These shows are in addition to the morning shows, laser shows and school shows (schools may book any show) and do not require payment of Science Centre entry. Discounted planetarium entry however is available if combined with Science Centre general entry.

Shows are preceded by a live sky presentation using the Zeiss Skymaster planetarium projector. This is followed by a full dome show of length approx 30 minutes

Ticket	Any planetariun show with entry	3pm planetarium show without entry
Adult	$4	$8
Concession	$4	$6
Child	$4	$4

Jan: Origins of Life
Feb: Into the Deep
Mar: Dark (about dark matter)
April: Touching the Edge of the Universe
May: Nanocam
June: Oasis in Space
July: Cosmic Journey
Aug: Amazing Telescope
Sept: Natural Selection
Oct: Search for the Edge of the Solar System
Nov: Nine Planets and Counting
Dec: Perfect Little Planet

The shows below represent current shows.

WEEKEND and HOLIDAY SHOWS

12am Perfect Little Planet

1pm Laser Fun1

3pm Origins of Life

WEEKDAY SHOWS

(in school term)

Note: These are shows booked by groups. There may be seats available - please check by calling the Science Centre on 0242865000 (ext3)

Groups may make their own show selection and bookings must be made by phone during office hours (0242865000).

PLANETARIUM SHOWS:

See 'Science Shows' for shows in the Science Theatre

MONDAY 20th May
PLANETARIUM
12:00am “Perfect Little Planet” Planetarium – Will run if 5 or more tickets Sold
3:00pm “Nanocam”

TUESDAY 21st May
PLANETARIUM
10:30am “Secrets of the Cardboard Rocket”
3:00pm “Nanocam”

WEDNESDAY 22nd May
PLANETARIUM
11:00am          “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket”
11:40am          “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket”
3:00pm              “Nanocam”

THURSDAY 23rd May
PLANETARIUM
10:30am           “9 Planets and Counting”
11:15am           “9 Planets and Counting”
12:00am           “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket”
12:40am           “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket”
3:00pm              “Nanocam”

FRIDAY 24th May
PLANETARIUM
10:30am “TBA”
3:00pm “Nanocam”