Herbert Trackman Planetarium

Dedicated to continuing its tradition of outstanding astronomical instruction and entertainment since 1973! The Trackman Planetarium features a 30' diameter dome and a state-of-the-art OmniStar Digital Projection system. Planetarium shows include interactive sky tours exploring constellations and planets, followed by a stellar full dome production on a wide range of astronomical topics.

February Planetarium Shows

Visit the Trackman Planetarium to learn all about our current night sky and upcoming celestial events. Explore cosmic curiosities, experience the wonders of the Universe, and embrace the stars at JJC. 

Planetarium shows are free to attend. All ages welcome!

✮ ALL SHOWS BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 6PM 

✧Tuesday, February 4
“Legends of the Night Sky: Orion” Takes an imaginative look into the legendary story of Orion the Hunter, our most beloved winter constellation. This show brings the myth to life in a fun-filled animated adventure. Follow Orion’s journey as he comes of age, courageously battling beasts, foiling the plot of an evil king, and winning the heart of Artemis, the beautiful moon-goddess. Learn the story of how the Orion constellation was placed in the night sky, forever travelling throughout the seasons. Fun for the whole family!

✧ Thursday, February 6
“Rising Star: A South African Astronomy Journey” Embark on an expedition to the rich, cultural coasts of South Africa. Explore revolutionary discoveries being made from our primordial beginnings to the advancement of technology and research being done today. See what the future holds for the country inside state of the art facilities providing “astronomy for a better world”.

✧ Tuesday, February 11
“Distant Worlds: Alien Life?” investigates humanity’s greatest questions: Are we alone in the universe? Can life exist and persist on distant planets? Explore the possibility of extraterrestrial life with imaginative visualizations of other worldly origins.

✧ Thursday, February 13
“The Hot and Energetic Universe” Experience the natural phenomena of High Energy Astrophysics. This full dome film immerses viewers in real life imagery and visualizations of gaseous reactions within supernova remnants, galaxy clusters, neutron stars, and supermassive blackholes. Observe the perpetual reactions and processes within the depths of the cosmos, helping shape our understanding of the universe.

✧ Tuesday, February 18
“Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus & Andromeda” This show brings the myth of Perseus & Andromeda to life in a fun-filled animated adventure. An imaginative retelling of the tale of a beautiful but unfortunate princess. In divine punishment, she is sent to the sea captured by a sea monster. A brave hero Perseus rescues the damsel in distress. Along the way, we meet humorous and exciting characters and learn the story of how the constellations were placed in the night sky, forever travelling throughout the seasons. Fun for the whole family!

✧ Thursday, February 20
“The Body Code” Explore the complex systems of the human body – from the eyes, brain, ears, heart, veins and arteries. In this show, we shrink down to microscopic size to fly through the body and into the DNA that comprises all living things. Along the way, we see how the body fights diseases at a cellular level.

✧ Tuesday, February 25
“Seeing! A Photon’s Journey Through Space, Time, and Mind” follows the journey of a single light particle, a photon, as it is produced within a distant star, before travelling across the vast expanse of space to land on an observer’s retina. A story of light, sight, and vision. This show explores the structure/biology of the eyes and brain. It discusses how the eye works, how our brain perceives vision, overall eye health, and how technology is used to restore vision and prevent a variety of diseases that affect sight. Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

✧ Thursday, February 27
“From Earth to the Universe” This stunning voyage through space and time portrays the Universe as revealed to us by science. Revel in the splendor of the Solar System. Travel to the colorful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars. And still further out beyond the Milky Way to an unimaginable immensity of galaxies.  
 

Come back next month for March's show schedule...

About the JJC Planetarium

The public is invited to visit the Trackman Planetarium located in F-1001 on the Main Campus of Joliet Junior College. We have 55 theatre-style seats available in the dome and no registration is required to attend. Free events are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-7pm.

Interested in booking a field trip for your school? JJC's Trackman Planetarium makes learning about science FUN and memorable. We are currently offering field trip opportunities on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the 2025 school year! These free, unique presentations are curated to the grade level and understanding of your students and complement any classroom curriculum. Prepare for a stellar journey exploring the fields of science, mythology, history, literature, art, and more. Book now as availability is limited.

Private presentations for other community organizations are available during daytime school hours or on select Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

✮ Contact fieldtripcoordinator@jjc.edu or call (815) 280-2601 for more information ✮