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The Staerkel Planetarium is open most weekend evenings with some matinee shows.
Special showing for groups or classses can be arraged by calling 217/351-2568. Click for more reserving the Planetarium.

• General Admission:
  Adults: $5
  Children (over 2), Seniors & Students $4
  Groups (20+) $4.50 per person
  View 2 shows on the same evening and get the second show half price!
  FOSP club membes: No charge
• Tickets can be purchased in the planetarium lobby prior to the shows.
  Cash and checks to Parkland College are accepted. We apologize for the inconvenience but we cannot accept credit or debit cards or bills over $20.
  
  

Celestial Strings!  An Evening of Harp and Stars!
Live performance
Join harpist Ann McLaughlin in the dome for a classical concert under the stars.  A winner of the University of North Texas Concerto Competition, Ann has also recorded as an ensemble member with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and Harp Ensemble.  Ann is a music performance student at the University of Illinois. 
January 26:  8:30 ppm
All seats are $4 at the door. 

Santa’s Secret Star
What? Santa has lost his compass and can’t find his way home? Sounds like a disaster in the making! Can the stars help? Learn about the day and night sky and how the stars seem to make pictures in the sky in our newest holiday show for young stargazers. Learn how YOU, too, can find Santa’s secret star!
December 1, 8, 15:  7pm

Season of Light
“Season of Light” traces the history and development of many of the world’s holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season “Seasons of Light” also recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice - not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. It also takes a look at some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions.
December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15:  8pm

Tales of the Sky: A Storytelling Adventure!
Storytellers Kim Sheahan and Kim Petzingtour will take you on a tour of the wonders of tonight’s sky, accompanied by some of the legendary stories of the ancient sky. Find out what constellations and planets are visible tonight and how to find them.
December 14:  7pm
December15:  2pm

?? Is this a planetarium event???
See the real sky with the CU Astronomical Society!

Observatory open houses
March 16, April 20, May 18, and June 8, 2013 occur at dusk on .   CUAS telescopes visit the Middle Fork Forest Preserve on May 11 and June 8, 2013.  All night sky observing is weather permitting. See www.cuas.org for details.   The University of Illinois Astronomical Society will have the observatory next to the Foellinger Auditorium open on the first Friday of the months that classes are in session. For information see www.astro.uiuc.edu/~uias.