"Seeing: A Photon's Journey Through Time, Space, and Mind" and "Laser Halloween" will be shown Friday, and "Skywatchers of Africa" and "Laser Halloween" will be shown Saturday.
Wayne State College’s planetarium and laser shows for the Fall 2025 semester will continue Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, in the Fred G. Dale Planetarium. Admission is free and open to the public, but free will donations are accepted.
The planetarium has been upgraded with a new single-lens ultra-high-def projection system and the immersive Digistar astronomy software. The planetarium has once again become the most technologically advanced and educationally versatile planetarium in the region.
On Friday, Oct. 17, the planetarium show “Seeing: A Photon’s Journey Through Time, Space, and Mind” will be at 7 p.m., followed by the laser show “Laser Halloween” at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, the planetarium show “Skywatchers of Africa” will be at 1 p.m., followed by the laser show “Laser Halloween” at 2 p.m.
About “Seeing! A Photon’s Journey Through Time, Space, and Mind”
Follow the journey of a single photon as it is produced in a distant star, before travelling across the vast expanse of space to land on someone’s retina. This full-dome planetarium show explores some of the fascinating processes of the cosmos, from astrophysics to the biology of the eye and brain.
About “Skywatchers of Africa”
For thousands of years, Africans have used their knowledge of the sky to build their societies, shape their spiritual lives, and meet their physical needs for survival.
“Skywatchers of Africa” highlights the diversity of African astronomy, examines cultural uses of the sky that developed throughout history, and celebrates our shared human experience.
“This fall features planetarium shows about a large variety of topics, including the Solar System, multicultural astronomy, and the search for life in the universe,” said Dr. Todd Young, director of the Fred G. Dale Planetarium. “We also have two Kids Weekends with shows specifically for kids pre-K to second grade, and a variety of holiday shows in December.”
About the Fred G. Dale Planetarium
The planetarium is located on the lowest level of Wayne State’s Carhart Science Building. Guests should use the southwest doors to enter. Once inside, go to the stairs at the south end of the building and go down to the lowest level. You may also take the elevator. Carhart Science and the planetarium are handicap accessible.
All shows last about 45 minutes. Doors open 20 minutes prior to the start of a show and shows generally include a tour of the current night sky, how to find the constellations, and current events in astronomy.
The shows will cycle through the planetarium’s vast library of shows, and each planetarium show will be followed by a laser show.
For more information, or to view a complete schedule of planetarium and laser shows for the Fall 2025 semester, visit the planetarium, or contact Dr. Todd Young, director of the Fred G. Dale Planetarium, at 402-375-7471 or [email protected].
Those wanting to book a private planetarium show should also contact Young. School and community groups and organizations are always welcome to book private shows.