Main navigationMain content
University of Minnesota
http://twin-cities.umn.edu/
612-625-5000
Go to the Bell Museum Home page
Tour the cosmos and beyond in the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium
We are pleased to welcome you to the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium with multiple shows daily!
Please note: Planetarium shows are an immersive experience, with loud sounds and lowered/very dark lighting. Shows many not be suitable for young children. Due to safety reasons, once you have exited the planetarium, you may not re-enter until the show is complete.
Showtimes through 4/07/24
Please call or click ticket buying options to check availability
Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
| 10:30AM | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies |
11:30AM | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? |
12:30PM | Totality | Totality | Totality | Totality | Totality | Totality |
1:30PM | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies All ages | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies |
2:30PM | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? Open Captioning | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? Ages 8+ | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? Ages 8+ | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? |
Showtimes through 4/14/24
Please call or click ticket buying options to check availability
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
| 10:30AM | Totality | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies |
11:30AM | The Sun: Our Living Star | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? |
12:30PM | Totality | Totality | Totality | Totality | Totality | Totality | Totality |
1:30PM | — | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies | Minnesota Night Skies All ages | Minnesota Night Skies All ages | Minnesota Night Skies |
2:30PM | The Sun: Our Living Star | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? ASL Interpretation | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? Ages 8+ | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? Ages 8+ | Astrobiology: Are We Alone? |
Accessibility
The Bell Museum is happy to ensure our shows are available to all of our visitors. Please see additional assistance for our visitors offeredat the link below.
Additional accessibility resources
Planetarium Only Pricing
Please arrive 15 minutes before your showtime for seating. Planetarium-only tickets do not include access to any museum galleries.
Adult—$10
Adult (65+)—$9
Youth (3–21, 0–2 years free*)—$8
U of M Student (with current student ID)—$5
Bell Museum members get 50 percent off planetarium tickets every day
Combo—Museum Entry & Planetarium Pricing
Combo tickets include a ticket to the museum before the planetarium show, please arrive within 15 minutes of your arrival time. For alternative entry times please call for tickets, 612-626-9660
Adult—$21
Adult (65+)—$18
Youth (3–21, 0–2 years free*)—$16
Members
Adult—$5
Adult (65+)—$4.50
Youth (3–21, 0–2 years free*)—$4
Now Showing
Astrobiology: Are We Alone?
Astrobiology: Are We Alone?Recommended for ages 8+
Is there somethingelseout there? Where can we look for life beyond Earth? Using the latest discoveries in our solar system and around distant stars, viewers will dive into the science of astrobiology. Join us as we search for answers to one of life’s oldest questions: are we alone?
Minnesota Night Skies
Minnesota Night SkiesRecommended for all ages
This show is Live!
Join our planetarium staff as we take a look at the sky above Minnesota, including seasonal constellations, the Moon, and visible planets. There’s something in the sky for everyone.
Totality
TotalityRecommended for ages 8+
Totality, produced by Bays Mountain Planetarium, examines what eclipses are, how and when they occur and what wonderful sights they create. It also looks back to a fascinating period in scientific discovery when general relativity was proven with the photographic recording of a total solar eclipse. A very special part of the show relates, in a very human way, what happens when you are caught in the shadow of the Moon and the Sun is plunged into a total solar eclipse.
Past Planetarium Shows
These past planetarium shows are not currently on view. They will be returning at a later date.
Minnesota Water Stories
Minnesota Water StoriesRecommended for ages 12+
What does water mean to you? What do you know about the issues facing water in Minnesota? What can you do to help keep Minnesota waters safe and clean? Minnesota Water Stories transports you around the state to see the beautiful views of rivers and lakes in Minnesota, watch scientists in action, and explore opportunities to help protect our most precious resource.
Out of This World
Out of This WorldRecommended for all ages
Hop into the Bell Museum’s spaceship and tour the planets of our solar system. Investigate the phases of the Moon, be the first humans to land on Mars, and fly through the rings of Saturn. Discover your favorite planet, or moon, while learning what makes a planet a planet in the first place (sorry Pluto).
Unseen Universe
Unseen UniverseRecommended for ages 10+
Look into cutting edge astronomy and explore the universe far beyond our human senses. For millions of years, our view of the heavens has been limited by our eyes, allowing us to only see a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation we call visible light. For the first time ever, in the greatest breakthrough since the invention of the telescope, we now have the technology to capture the Universe over an amazing width of the spectrum and beyond. We can even interlink telescopes around the world to capture data on a global scale.
Far Out!
Far Out!Recommended for ages 8+
Launch farther out than ever before. Journey to planets beyond our solar system, visit a black hole, or travel to the edge of our visible universe. The only thing expanding faster than the universe will be your sense of amazement!
Latest in Space
Latest in SpaceRecommended for ages 8+
This show is Live!
Robots sampling Mars! Telescopes studying galaxies!Humans floating inspace!In this interactive planetarium show, stay up-to-date with thelatestnewsinspacewhile getting the chance to ask your questions about what’snewabove your head and in a galaxy far, far away.
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
Mars: The Ultimate VoyageRecommended for all ages
On a 2 year journey across space, how will astronauts stay motivated? How will they stay healthy? What challenges will they face along the way? Our newest Bell original production, Mars: The Ultimate Voyage, dives into these questions while showing what the first journey to Mars might look like—and how creativity, communication, and collaboration come together to ensure safe, deep space travel.
Secrets From a Forest
Secrets From a ForestRecommended for ages 8+
Experience the cinematic mastery of Secrets from a Forest.ThisBell Museum original planetarium production, led by the artistic vision of renowned photographer Jim Brandenburg, award-winning director Neil Lucas, and featuring members of the Minnesota Orchestra, illuminates the creation of the Stradivarius violin. Beginning in the forests of Italy and concluding in a concert hall, this story illustrates the intimate connections between sound and nature, throughout time and space.
Virtual Offerings
Interested in exploring the cosmos with us from home?
Constellation Hunters: Curious about the night sky and what constellations you can see? We’re posting Constellation Hunter videos to help you find constellations you can see from wherever you are (in the northern hemisphere). No telescope required!
Upcoming events: Mark your calendars for upcoming virtual planetarium shows, Star Parties and other live content.
Virtual planetarium shows and star parties: Missed a live virtual show or Star Party? We upload our programs onto YouTube for you to enjoy anytime.
