Planetarium Parking During Construction of Adjacent Building

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.

Planetarium Parking Map (Check mark 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, 2:30 p.m. Saturday

Seven Wonders

Turn back the pages of time and witness the ancient wonders of the world as they appeared thousands of years ago. Travel to Egypt to visit the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Great Pyramids, to Persia to see the original Mausoleum, to Babylon to explore the fabled Hanging Gardens, to Greece to tour the Temples of Zeus and Artemis, and to Rhodes to stand in the shadow of the towering Colossus. We will investigate the theories of how these wonders were created, and get a glimpse of some of the universe's greatest wonders. (20 minutes)

FREE, 3:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. Saturday

Taking Astronomy to the Market

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.

The next event of the spring semester is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 30.

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 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 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

For information and to make reservations for school groups, send e-mails to planetarium@jmu.edu.