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To book a private showing for your school, organization or group, please contact us via either of the methods below.
Dr. Todd Young, Planetarium Director | email
402-375-7471
8am - 5pm | Mon - Fri |
OR |
Fill out our
Contact Form |
Minimum group size: 10 people
| Suggested donation for planetarium shows is $5 for adults and $3 for kids |
A private showing can consist of a full dome video and an astronomy mini-lesson, or just a full astronomy lesson. All showings will last 45-55 minutes.
Below are menus for the various astronomy lessons (which can be made into age appropriate mini or full lessons) and full dome videos. Click a selection for more information.
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Click any line to see more information
Current Night Sky
A tour of what’s in the current daytime and nighttime sky, including planets, constellations, moon phase, meteor showers, and any other timely celestial object or event.
The Day & Night Cycle
Understanding the daily motion of the Sun, Moon, and stars, and how the rotation of the Earth produces this motion.
The Year and Seasons
Understanding the annual motion of the Sun and stars, and how this motion is related to the mechanics of the seasons.
The Moon
Investigating the motion and appearance of the Moon, including: synchronous motion; tides; impacts and maria; and origin of the Moon.
Phases of the Moon
Understanding the orbit of the Moon around the Earth, and how this motion produces the different appearances of the Moon throughout the “moon”th.
Eclipses
Learning the types of eclipses, understanding how eclipses occur, and why they don’t occur every month.
Overview of the Solar System
Understanding the basic shape and motion of the solar system, and a brief review of objects in the solar system, including: the planets; Sun; asteroids; comets; and dust.
Size & Scale of the Solar System
Understanding a proper scale for the solar system and defining the astronomical unit (AU).
Planets of the Solar System
A detailed look at the planets of the solar system, including: similarities and differences; sizes; compositions; magnetic fields; moons; surface features; and space probes.
Motions of the Planets
Understanding the general and specific motions of the planets around the Sun, and how gravity plays a role in these motions.
Moons of the Solar System
Exploring and comparing the over 170 known moons in the solar system, including Titan with its unique atmosphere, and Earth's moon which formed as a result of a collision between a young Earth and another planetary body about half the size of the Earth.
Asteroids
Investigating the composition and location of asteroids within the solar system, and how asteroids help with a history of the solar system.
Comets & Meteors
Investigating the composition and location of comets within the solar system, how a comet’s tail is formed, and how comets are connected to meteor showers.
Near Earth Objects
A detailed look at the objects in the solar system that cross Earth’s orbit and pose a risk to Earth, and how space technology helps us detect these bodies.
Finding your way around the sky
Learning about constellations around the world, and how to: find the Big Dipper and Polaris; use Polaris to find north; use Polaris to determine latitude; measure angles in the sky; and use the Big Dipper to find other constellations.
Constellations & Star Lore
Investigating how the stars were the original clock, calendar, and compass, and a brief history of various star names and lores from different cultures.
Seasonal Constellations
Understanding why different constellations are seen at different times of the year, and why certain stars remain in the night sky all year long.
The Zodiac
Understanding the origin of the Zodiac and using these constellations to understand the difference between astrology and astronomy, pseudoscience and science.
The Sun as a source of energy
Understanding how the Sun produces energy, and investigating how this energy is responsible for the growth of plants, wind, ocean currents, and the water cycle.
Solar Weather
Learning about various types of solar weather, including: magnetic storms; sunspots; flares; prominences; and the solar wind.
Formation of the Solar System
Investigating how the Sun, like other stars, was formed from a cloud of gas and dust, and how the planets were created at the same time as the Sun by the same physical processes.
Solar neighborhood
Understanding the vast distances between the stars, learning the nearest stars to the Sun, and defining the light-year (ly).
Stars
Learning that stars have a life cycle, and similarities and differences of stars in the galaxy, including: composition; temperature; age; brightness; and size.
The Milky Way Galaxy
A detailed look at the Milky Way galaxy, including: composition; size; shape; and location of the Sun in the galaxy.
The Universe
Investigating the major visible components of the universe, including galaxies, gas, and dust, the size and scale of the universe, and the origin of the universe (the Big Bang).
Origin of the Universe
Investigating the Big Bang theory, the redshift of galaxies, and the cosmic microwave radiation in attempt to answer the questions: What is the origin of the universe and what will be its fate?
Tools of the Astronomers
Learning about different astronomical instruments and techniques used by astronomers, including: telescopes; spectroscopes; interferometry; parallax; and Doppler shifts.
Coordinate Systems
Learning about the different coordinate systems used in astronomy, including the local altitude-azimuth and celestial right ascension-declination systems.
Analemmas
Understanding what is an analemma and how analemmas would appear on different planets and moons within the solar system.
Circumpolar constellations
Understanding why some constellations are in the night sky all year long, and why these constellations differ depending on someone’s latitude.
Mars hoax
Discrediting the often viral assertions that “Mars will be as large as the Moon” at certain dates and times by better understanding the motions of the planets, focusing on the Earth and Mars.
Mercury's orbit
A detailed investigation into to the peculiar orbit of Mercury, and how Einstein’s general relativity helped explain it.
Precession of Earth's axis
Understanding how the Earth’s rotational axis wobbles like a top, how the Moon minimizes this wobble, and the periodicity of this motion.
Roemer's Method
Understanding how Ole Roemer was able to determine a value for the speed of light by carefully measuring the motion of the Jupiter and its closest moon Io.
Scorpio's Claws
Learning about the Zodiac and how Libra became a constellation among this “zone of animals.”
Stonehenge
A brief history of Stonehenge and the different astronomical events that Stonehenge is purported to help track.
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