FAMILY WEEKEND SPECIAL: A special free planetarium showing of "Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity" will be presented at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 for Family Weekend. This will be in addition to our regular show schedule.

Planetarium Parking

Free Parking for planetarium shows is available in parking lots across Grace Street from Miller Hall, where the John C. Wells Planetarium is located. Both lots, N5 and N6, can be accessed from East Grace Street. The N6 lot also can be accessed from Mason Street, across from the old Rockingham Memorial Hospital emergency room entrance.

School Bus Parking: Single-bus parking is permitted in the bus lane behind Miller Hall for groups attending planetarium field trips. Permission is limited to one bus. All personal vehicles must park in the R-12 lot and must get a permit from the planetarium. School buses should park as far back as they can in the striped bus lane to allow room for public transit buses. DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS

Planetarium Parking Map (Checkmark on map indicates planetarium entrance.)

One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure

Follow Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. (27 minutes)

FREE, 1:00 p.m. Saturday

Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity

There's a place from which nothing escapes, not even light, where time and space literally come to end. It's at this point, inside this fantastic riddle, that black holes exert their sway over the cosmos ... and our imaginations. Zip through other-worldly wormholes, experience the creation of the Milky Way Galaxy, and witness the violent death of a star and subsequent birth of a black hole. Mathematical equations, cutting-edge science, and Einstein's theories fill in holes along the way, providing the most complete picture yet on this mysterious phenomenon. Can you feel the pull? (25 minutes)

FREE, 2:15 & 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Have a look at the Sun!

On matinée weekends, sky conditions permitting, the planetarium provides special solar telescopes for looking at the Sun. Come see the sun in a way you have not seen it before.

Taking Astronomy to the Market

During the JMU school year, the last Saturday of each month, weather permitting, at the Harrisonburg Farmer's Market. JMU Physics and Astronomy staff will be on hand at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market to answer questions about the universe, assist with telescopes and provide other activities.

You can always ask questions about astronomy at the Astronomy at the Market Facebook site.

Free Shows For The Public on Saturdays

The Wells Planetarium offers free shows for the public on Saturdays during the fall and spring semesters at 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Seating begins 10 minutes before showtime on a first-come, first-seated basis. The first show is geared toward families with young children while the second show appeals to older children and adults.

Each show is followed by a 25-minute "star talk" that provides visitors with updates about the night sky, including constellations, planets and any comets that might be visible.

School Groups

To make reservations go to our reservation page.