Henry B. duPont III Planetarium
Digital and Live Full-Dome Planetarium Shows
Our digital full-dome theater features a seamless 33-foot diameter dome and a dual-projector 4k laser projection system. Digistar 2025 by Evans & Sutherland transforms our planetarium into a virtual starship, creating real-time visualizations that transport our audience to other planets, star systems, and beyond. Our planetarium also screens pre-recorded shows on a variety of topics including spaceflight, aviation, biology, and history.
We have an audience capacity of 65 seats for regular shows, with the ability to expand to 85 seats for special events. All seats are removable for easy accessibility.
Admission to public shows requires a media pass, which can be purchased at the front desk. One media pass grants admission to all planetarium shows and special presentations for the day.
The planetarium is also available for private bookings and events, including school trips, scout groups, birthday parties, corporate events, and weddings. Contact us for more info.
Have questions about astronomy and space science? Ask an astronomer and check out our social media to see if your question has been answered!
The Henry B. duPont III Planetarium is brought to you by the Nor’easter Foundation.
What's playing this month?
Interested in a specific show? To see all available show times, head to our Hours & Showtimes page.
Digital Fulldome Shows
Interested in an easy trip to learn about our planet and beyond? Our collection of 360 degree films will transport you around the globe and throughout space on journeys that are both fun and educational!
Sphere
Ages 5 and up
SPHERE is a contemplative and immersive experience, a journey into the intimate interconnections of life. Through the silent stories of mosses, stones, wind, and algae, the film draws us into a world without hierarchy, where every being contributes to a broader balance. It is a work of scientific popularization and ecological awareness, inviting us to think of Earth as a single, dynamic, and fragile system.
Inspired by ecological sciences and non-human intelligences, SPHERE opens up a new idea: that of a living Earth, ever in motion, generous, and resilient. A world where fragility becomes strength, and where every connection woven is a promise of renewal.
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
Ages 9 and up
Run Time: 25 mins
On a two year journey to Mars astronauts will face extraordinary challenges—long distance, a closed environment, isolation, altered gravity, radiation. What will it take to get astronauts to Mars—and back—safely? This new, animated planetarium production highlights NASA research and training initiatives that are preparing the next generation of astronauts who will head to Mars. The film shows how creativity, collaboration, communication, and expertise in a diverse number of fields are key for the success of deep space travel—while also inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals! Witness what it takes to embark on the first human mission beyond Earth’s orbit.
One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure
Ages 3 - 5
Run Time: 25 mins
Young audience members will be thrilled when they find themselves on Sesame Street with their famous friends, Big Bird and Elmo.
The fun begins when Elmo’s friend, Hu Hu Zhu, visits from China and the three of them take the audience on an exciting journey of discovery to learn about the Sun, stars, and Big Dipper. Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu blast off on an imaginary trip to the Moon and when they return home to Earth everyone discovers that, no matter where we live, we all share the same sky.
Live Fulldome Shows
Looking for the more classic planetarium experience? In our live shows, join a member of our planetarium staff as they teach you about all things astronomy!
Tour of the Solar System
Ages 5 and up
Runtime: 20-25 minutes
Join our educators for a tour of Earth’s nearest neighbors! From planets and dwarf planets to moons and more, you’ll see some of the major bodies in our solar system and learn about how our understanding of our place in the universe develops with each new discovery.
Skies Tonight
Ages 5 and up
Runtime: 20-25 minutes
Coming to a dark sky near you! Join our experts as they take you on a fantastic journey through the nighttime sky. Students are shown how to locate and identify the stars, planets, and constellations visible in the evening sky at the time of their visit. The Galaxy awaits…
Astronomy After Dark
Want to engage with content that dives deeper than our typical programming? Our Astronomy After Dark series is designed for ages 13+ and features content for true space enthusiasts.
Shows run between 30-45 minutes. Please be aware that Astronomy After Dark is geared towards an adult audience and viewers younger than 13 may be asked to leave to respect others' experience.
Entry at or after 6 p.m. requires only a media pass--no general admission required! Doors close promptly at 6:15 and no late entry will be permitted.
Strange Skies (Live)
Ages 13 and up
Runtime: 30 min
The Bridgeport night sky holds many amazing sights, but the sky changes drastically as you travel around Earth. Stars change position, and new ones even appear you can't see from home. But since plane tickets are expensive, join us instead in the planetarium to explore the depths of the night sky from across the globe.
The Dark Matter Mystery
Ages 13 and up
Runtime: 38 min
What are the building blocks of our universe? We’ve been trying to answer this question since time began, but still haven’t found the ultimate answer! Approximately a quarter of the universe consists of mysterious dark matter. We know it is there; however, we don’t know what it is made up of. This planetarium show takes you on the biggest quest in astrophysics! Discover why we know there must be dark matter at all. Join scientists as they observe space, as well as deep underground. Will they be able to reveal the dark matter mystery?