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!
The Stellars
Ages 3-5
Run Time: 26 mins
Imani, Aki, and John are three friends from an alien solar system. While on a space exploration mission, something routine for their tribe, they distractedly neglect their onboard “chores,” leading their ship to crash on an unknown planet – Earth. The accident damages the life-support system that sustains the cherished forest they keep onboard, which gives them their vital Yumi-Plumi fruits. However, forests in their society are usually taken care of by robots.
With no knowledge of plant care or any means of contacting their elders, they are fortunate to be able to turn to the planetarium audience for help. All hope now rests on the Earth children, who help the Stellars discover what plants need to survive and to rescue their Yumi Plumi forest. There is a race against time – will the children be able to figure out the successive elements needed to nourish the plants?
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.
Cosmic Mashups
Ages 8 and up
Run Time: 21 mins
Supermassive black holes are found in most galaxies and we're beginning to uncover how the merging of galaxies activate galactic centers. This engaging fulldome film was produced by Fiske Planetarium in collaboration with CU Boulder APS Professor, Dr. Julie Comerford and former graduate student Dr. Becky Nevin through support from an NSF award.
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 3-5
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 3-5
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.
Europe to the Stars
Ages 13 and up
Runtime: 31 min
Fulldome show "Europe to the Stars" takes the viewer on an epic journey behind the scenes at the most productive ground-based observatory in the world, revealing the science, the history, the technology and the people.
Discover the European Southern Observatory in a story of cosmic curiosity, courage and perseverance; a story of observing a Universe of deep mysteries and hidden secrets; and a story of designing, building and operating the most powerful ground-based telescopes on the planet.
The movie focuses on the essential aspects of an astronomical observatory while offering a broader view of how astronomy is done. From site-testing to locate the best places in the world for observing the sky, to how telescopes are built and what mysteries of the Universe astronomers are revealing.
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.