Public Programs
Public programs are offered on Friday evenings throughout the year at 7:30 pm (May through September at 8:30 pm) and Saturday afternoons during the academic year at 1:00 pm. Admission to all public programs is $8 for adults and $6 for children, seniors and UToledo community members (children 3 and under are free).
We accept credit card and cash payments. All shows are first-come, first-served - reservations and advanced ticket purchases are not available. Doors open 30 minutes before the show, during which time you can explore the displays in our lobby. (Note the time change to 8:30 PM as of May 1.)
The planetarium (show) portion of the program is approximately one-hour, while the
observing session on Friday night will continue until everyone has had a chance to
take a look through the telescope. More information below.
Spring 2025 Schedule
The Hot and Energetic Universe
Friday evenings at 8:30 PM from May 2 to May 30, 2025
The Hot and Energetic Universe presents the basic principles of electromagnetic radiation and the natural phenomena related to High Energy Astrophysics. High Energy Astrophysics plays a key role in understanding the hot and violent Universe. High Energy Astrophysics opens a window into the hot gas in clusters of galaxies, which are the most massive objects in the Universe, and the hot gas accreting around supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies. It also provides important information about our own Galaxy, including neutron stars, supernova remnants, and stars like our Sun which emit copious amounts of high energy radiation.
The Solar System Show
Saturday afternoons at 1:00 PM from May 3 to May 31, 2025
Looking to explore way-out worlds? Then join our kid crew reporters and rambunctious planets for The Solar System Show! The Solar System Show is hosted by kids who do all the science reporting and narration. The program includes a toilet paper solar system and the cow that landed on the Moon. It’s out there… enjoy!
Secrets of the Universe
Friday evenings at 8:30 PM from June 6 to June 27, 2025
Secrets of the Universe is a sweeping science adventure that immerses audiences in the greatest mysteries of our time – puzzles spanning from the infinitesimal to the infinite; a journey guided by some of the most brilliant minds, seeking to answer life’s greatest questions, using the greatest science machines in history. The answers await at the collision points of intellect and imagination, of theory and experiment, of the tiniest particles and most powerful forces in the Universe.
Out There: The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds
Friday evenings at 8:30 PM from July 11 to June 25, 2025
In the last twenty-five years astronomers have discovered thousands of new planets orbiting other stars in our Milky Way. Learn the techniques they use to find these hidden worlds from both space-based and earth-based observatories. Find out the diverse mix of planets, “Out There”.
Tales of the Maya Skies
Friday evenings at 8:30 PM from August 1 to August 29, 2025
Tales of the Maya Skies is a digital full-dome show with a custom score and visuals
that immerses the audience in Mayan astronomy, art, and culture. Narrated by Latin
Grammy award winner Lila Downs, Tales of the Maya Skies inspires and educates through
its description of the Maya's accurate astronomical achievements and how astronomy
connected them to the Universe.
What you can expect:
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A live guided tour of the Toledo night sky
You will learn about the constellations visible from Toledo and any planets visible to the naked eye. We also typically discuss one "hot topic" in astronomy, such as the discovery of new planets around other stars, or the latest NASA discover on Mars.
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The full-dome presentation
Whether we are traveling inside a black hole, taking a tour of the moon with Elmo, or learning about the skies over Toledo, you and your family will simply be amazed at the full-dome immersive show. -
An open-ended question and answer session
Our expert host will answer all of your astronomy questions, whether they pertain to the live tour of the night sky, the feature presentation, or any other astronomy question that you might have. -
Observing at Brooks/Ritter Observatory
You will be escorted over to Brooks Observatory atop McMaster Hall to view the stars and/or planets through our new 14 telescope. On the first Friday of every month, we instead observe with the Ritter 1m (40 in) telescope. This telescope is the largest active telescope east of the Mississippi and is still used by the astronomers at UToledo for their research. All observing is weather permitting!