Sensory Friendly Shows 2022-2023.

Shows are limited to a maximum of 80 audience members. Audience members must follow MSU COVID safety rules while attending. Six feet spacing must be observed between groups from different households.

The Abrams Planetarium offers sensory friendly shows on the third Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. These shows will run with the lights up, the sound down, and the theater doors open so people can move about as needed. We also provide a place to "chill out" in our lobby. All shows include a live star talk about what is up in the sky that night. We will include a short break between the main show and star talk. Information about what to expect during the show will be provided when you purchase tickets.

Admission prices for all shows are:

  • Adults, $5.50
  • Students and senior citizens, $5.00
  • Children (age 12 and under), $4.50

Show tickets are not sold in advance. Ticket sales begin 30 minutes prior to showtime. All shows include a current sky talk and last about an hour.

Private Shows are available for $100 ($80 for Members). Private shows are limited to 20 people. You can choose any show in our library. All shows last about an hour and include a live star talk about what is up in the night sky. To book please call us at (517) 355-4676 or email abrams@msu.edu with 3 choices of date and time, the show you would like to book, the number of households coming and the number of people per household so we can set up seating appropriately. A minimum of one weeks notice is needed before the requested reservation day, please contact us for more information.

2022-2023 Sensory Friendly Show Schedule.

The Abrams Planetarium sensory friendly show schedule for Fall 2021 through Summer 2022. Each show is approximately 60 minutes long; a 30 minute recorded portion followed by a 30 minute live presentation of the current evening sky.

Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022


Living in Balance
11:30 am.

Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge highlights Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons in relation to contemporary insights about environmental changes. Teachings shared by Native Skywatchers Carl Gawboy, William Wilson, and Dr. Annette S. Lee are narrated by Aarin Dokum with Anishinaabemowin translations by Alphonse Pitawanakwat set to art by Elizabeth LaPensée.

We are Stars
1:00 pm.

What are we made of? Where did it all come from? Explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry, and our explosive origins. Connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe by following the formation of Hydrogen atoms to the synthesis of Carbon, and the molecules for life. Narrated by Andy Serkis.

Instructional Materials
Shiow Trailer

Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022


Mayan Archaeoastronomy
11:30 am.

In a feast of colors and sounds, this show takes a tour of 6 Mayan temples: San Gervasio, Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná, Palenque and Bonampak where the spectator dives into a Mayan world of knowledge about the importance of the orientations of its temples in relation to the movement of some stars like the Sun, the Moon and Venus.

Show Trailer

The Little Star That Could
1:00 pm.

The story about an average yellow star on a search for planets of his own to warm and protect. Along his way, he encounters other stars, learns what makes each star special, and discovers that stars can combine to form clusters and galaxies. Eventually, Little Star finds his planets, and each is introduced to audiences along with basic information about the Solar System.

Instructional Materials
Show Trailer

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022


Season of Light
11:30 am.

Many of the familiar customs that we observe this time of year have an astronomical connection. Our holiday offering explores the traditions that we associate with this special season.

Show Trailer

George and Oatmeal Save Santa
1:00 pm.

Santa Claus is missing! Mrs. Claus is worried and asks Oatmeal the snowman to help find him. Join Oatmeal and his friend George, the planetarium wizard, as they travel the world in search of Santa. Along the way they are told constellation stories from many cultures and how to use the stars of the Big Dipper to find north. This holiday show is particularly appropriate for young children and their families.

Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023


Ice Worlds
11:30 am.

The delicate balance between ice, water and the existence of life has been a topic of exploration and discovery in science for generations. In travels to the Arctic and Antarctic regions of our planet, we'll examine the ecosystems that live and thrive there and see how their survival is connected with our own. Beyond Earth, we'll see how the existence of ice shapes the landscape and the natural systems on other planets and moons in our solar system.

Show Trailer

Zula Patrol: Under the Weather
1:00 pm.

The stalwart heroes of The Zula Patrol are on an expedition collecting samples of weather for scientist Multo's research. When the Zula gang inadvertently hurts their loyal pet Gorga's feelings, he decides to leave Zula and find another planet to live on. Villain Dark Truder then tricks Gorga into helping with his latest nefarious scheme to rule the universe. The Zula Patrollers find out and go after him-in the process learning all about weather, both terrestrial and interplanetary. Based on the hit TV series.

Instructional Materials
Show Trailers

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023


Skywatchers of Africa
11:30 am.

For thousands of years, Africans have used their knowledge of the sky to build their societies, shape their spiritual lives, and meet their physical needs for survival. Skywatchers of Africa highlights the diversity of African astronomy, examines cultural uses of the sky that developed throughout history, and celebrates our shared human experience.

Dinosaurs
1:00 pm.

Like almost all children, Celeste is fascinated with dinosaurs. She is preparing a talk for her class about how they went extinct when Moon, a very wise and magical character, poses a tantalizing question: what if I told you that there are still dinosaurs among us? Celeste will join Moon in a journey through time. An exciting adventure that will show them the Earth as it was in the very, very distant past. They will see the fascinating transformations that these animals underwent over millions of years, creating giant creatures, armored beasts and super predators, until the day that a cataclysmic impact event caused a mass extinction on Earth. But all is not lost. Celeste will discover the key to their survival.

Sunday, March 19, 2023


Imagine the Moon
11:30 am.

Explore how the Moon has inspired human creativity, learning, and exploration ever since we have looked to the sky. Each discovery has brought new opportunities to contemplate and imagine, until, driven by dreams, we left Earth and went there in the amazing journeys that culminated in astronauts walking on the Moon. People have imagined the Moon as a glowing disk in the sky, a destination in space, and a world that shares its origin with the Earth. The power of human imagination continues to inspire our relationship with the Moon as our partner in space and companion in our sky.

Show Trailer

In My Backyard
1:00 pm.

Join children's entertainer Fred Penner as he explores things large and small, from the colors of the rainbow, to the reasons for the seasons. Through the use of entertaining songs and immersive environments, children are encouraged to participate while learning about the planets, constellations, meteors, the moon and more.

Sunday, April 16, 2023


Big Astronomy
11:30 am.

It takes many people with diverse backgrounds, talents, and skills to run a world-class observatory. Meet a few of these people as they share the wonder of the sky--and the excitement of discovery. Explore the world-class observatories nestled in northern Chile’s mountains and learn why Chile, is an ideal environment for studying the cosmos.

Instructional Materials
Show Trailer

Two Small Pieces of Glass
1:00 pm.

Learn how the telescope has helped us understand our place in space and continue to expand our understanding of the Universe. Explore the history of the telescope and the discoveries these wonderful tools have made. See how telescopes work and how the largest observatories in the world use them. View the Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings, and spiral structure of galaxies. Learn about the discoveries of Galileo, Huygens, Newton, Hubble, and others.

Instructional Materials
Show Trailer

Sunday, May 21, 2023


Wayfinders
11:30 am.

This full-dome program puts you on the deck of the voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa as you explore the nearly lost art and science of non-instrument navigation in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Produced by Bishop Museum in collaboration with Polynesian Voyaging Society and 1001 Stories.

One World, One Sky
1:00 pm.

You don't need a spaceship to learn about the sun, moon, and stars-just a little imagination! When Big Bird, Elmo, and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, take an imaginary trip to the moon, they learn amazing things along the way.

Instructional Materials
Show Trailer

Sunday, June 18, 2023


Sunstruck
11:30 am.

Discover the wonders of our sun. Its incredible energy has supported life on earth for millennia, but is now threatening our technology and way of life. Travel to the distant future to discover our sun's connection to the universe's cosmic cycle of life and death.

Show Trailer

Perfect Little Planet
1:00 pm.

Discover our solar system through a new set of eyes-a family from another star system seeking the perfect vacation spot. Fly over the surface of Pluto, our best known Dwarf Planet. Dive down the ice cliffs of Miranda. Sail through the rings of Saturn. Feel the lightning storms at Jupiter. And walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination would you choose?

Instructional Materials
Show Trailer

Sunday, July 16, 2023


Out There
11:30 am.

Out There: The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds shows how our perception of our place in the Universe has changed and how the discoveries of exoplanets we made in the last decades even surpassed the dreams of science fiction authors.

Show Trailer

Our Place in Space
1:00 pm.

While solving a crossword puzzle about the sky, Scarlet Macaw and her friends explore the cause of day and night, the importance of our star the Sun, the beauty of the constellations, and the variety of objects that make up the Universe.

Before you visit the Abrams Planetarium, take a virtual tour of our building: