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.

September Planetarium Shows

As we approach the Autumnal season - days are getting shorter, and nights are getting longer. Visit the Trackman Planetarium to learn all about Fall stargazing opportunities and celestial events. Explore cosmic curiosities, experience the wonders of the Universe, and embrace the stars at JJC.

Planetarium shows are always free and always fascinating.

✧ Tuesday, September 3 at 6pm ✧
“The Sun: Our Living Star” reveals the impact our star has on every aspect of life here on Earth. It is the source of energy that drives our weather systems, seasons, biology, and time. Discover the Sun’s dynamic nature and experience rare imagery of its turbulent surface in our immersive full dome.

✧ Thursday, September 5 at 6pm ✧
“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, September 10 at 6pm ✧
“Mayan Archeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe” connects history and mythology, science and culture. View the universe through the eyes of ancient Mayan civilization. A poetic journey through space and time exploring Mayan temples and their relevance to the pathways of the Sun, Moon, and stars.

✧ Thursday, September 12 at 6pm ✧
“Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival” Did you know there are still dinosaurs among us today? Step back in time… to the Mesozoic era 65 million years ago. Explore the prehistoric past of colossal creatures that roamed the earth for millions of years, and the cataclysmic impact that led to their extinction. A tale of evolutionary history.

✧ Tuesday, September 17 at 6pm ✧
“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, September 19 at 6pm ✧
“Birth of Planet Earth” This full dome show tells the twisted tale of our planet's origins. Scientists now believe our galaxy is filled with solar systems, including up to a billion planets roughly the size of our own. This film employs advanced, data-driven, cinematic-quality visualizations to address some of the greatest questions in science today: How did Earth become a living planet in the wake of our solar system's violent birth? What does its history tell us about the chances of finding other Earth-like worlds? How did it all begin?

✧ Tuesday, September 24 ✧
“Atlas of a Changing Earth” is the story of how a revolution in map-making is revealing the planet’s changing landscape in the wake of rising global temperatures. This award-winning full dome production uses stunning, latest-generation imagery from space, taking viewers into the dynamic processes causing glacial melt and coastal changes. See the Earth in striking detail and gain a greater understanding of rising sea levels.

✧ Thursday, September 26 ✧
“Climate Change in Our Backyard” discusses the topics of ecology, conservation, and environmentalism protecting our remarkable world. Learn how and why our climate is changing, humanity’s impact on Earth, the presence of Carbon Dioxide in our atmosphere, and what we can do in our own homes to support sustainability. Travel the world in our dome – From the peaks of mountaintops to the pits of Arctic ice. A free planetarium show to inspire change.

Come back next month for October'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 to the Trackman Planetarium? We are currently offering field trip opportunities on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the 2024-2025 school year! These free, unique presentations are curated to the grade level and understanding of your students. Let us know if you have any questions regarding content options or accessibility. 

Joliet Junior College welcomes all social and community organizations to schedule planetarium programs for their members. Private presentations 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.