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.

November Planetarium Shows

Autumn brings longer nights for excellent Fall stargazing opportunities. 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!

✮ SHOWS BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 6PM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

✧ Tuesday, November 5 ✧
“The International Space Station: Off the Earth, for the Earth, and Beyond” Take a trip into Low Earth Orbit aboard the ISS, humanity’s home in space. Discover benefits of Space Station research, track its trajectory in the night sky and decipher its role in the development of technology, space exploration, and our future. 

✧ Thursday, November 7 ✧ NEW SHOW!
“Mysteries of Your Brain” Take an immersive look into the complex organ that makes you you! An animated adventure following a curious girl and her crow companion to visualize the system of neurons, synapses, nerves that drive your senses, motion, and thinking. Compare the differences between the human brain and various animal brains. A kid-friendly and colorful view into how the brain works.

✧ Tuesday, November 12 ✧
“Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries” This production gives viewers a behind the scenes look at the three world-class observatories in Chile. Here in the darkest regions of the world, scientists work together towards an inclusive goal of space exploration. Meet the diverse people who make astronomical research a success. 

✧ Thursday, November 14 ✧ 
★ REGISTRATION REQUIRED! ★ 
Purchase tickets for An Accessible Night Under the Stars. 
Registration includes a one-hour Planetarium show, accessible technology, live music entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, 50/50 raffle, and more! Join us for this special event celebrating disability awareness at JJC!
“Audio Universe: A Tour of the Solar System” Hear and experience our universe like never before! Listen to the formation of stars, hear planets orbit above, be immersed in the rich aural sounds and visualizations of the cosmos. Soundscapes guide our journey through the solar system in this stunning production. 
 

✧ Tuesday, November 19 ✧
“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 of Orion 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. Along the way, we learn the story of how the constellation of Orion was placed in the night sky, forever travelling throughout the seasons. Fun for the whole family!

✧ Thursday, November 21 ✧ 
“One Sky Project” A cultural journey through time. The stars we observe today are the very same stars admired by our most ancient ancestors – and they created grande stories in the skies. This full dome film transcends these tales and retells them with beautiful artistry. Culture, history, and indigenous Astronomy meet to connect Earth, the sky, and humanity. An international collaboration bringing together the stories of Orion and Artemis, the Navajo Thunderbird, Jai Singh’s Dream, the Celestial Canoe, the Samurai and the Stars, and Hawaiian Wayfinders.

✧ Tuesday, November 26 ✧ “Native American Astronomy”

Details coming soon…

✧ Thursday, November 28 ✧ 

Closed for Thanksgiving. Have a great holiday! 
 

Come back next month for December'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. Prepare for a stellar journey exploring the fields of science, mythology, history, and more. 

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 ✮