We’re in an exciting transitional period as we work toward the transformative renovations planned for 2025! During this time, we have temporarily reduced public programming, and we’d like to share the reasons behind this shift:

Preserving Our Current Equipment for Students

Our MS-8 star projector, which has served us faithfully for decades, is struggling to meet our growing needs. To ensure it continues to support our high school astronomy classes—an essential part of their curriculum—we’ve limited its use to classroom programs. This decision helps extend its lifespan until our state-of-the-art upgrades are completed.

Focusing on a Bright Future

Renovating a facility like ours takes careful planning, collaboration, and resources. With a small but dedicated team, much of our focus is on supporting our fundraising group in securing funding, designing the new system, and preparing for the exciting changes ahead. These efforts are critical to ensuring the planetarium’s future as a hub for education and inspiration.

We understand it may be disappointing to experience a temporary reduction in astronomy programming, especially after nearly 60 years of serving the community. However, we are thrilled to share that in the fall of 2025, the Shiras Planetarium will reopen with unparalleled programming, cutting-edge technology, and opportunities like never before. This renovation will ensure the planetarium continues to shine as a community resource for generations to come.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and unwavering support during this time of growth. We are working hard to keep you informed and will share updates every step of the way. Together, we are building an incredible future for the Shiras Planetarium—one we can’t wait to share with you!