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 digital projection system. Planetarium shows include interactive sky tours exploring constellations and planets, followed by a stellar full dome production.

May Planetarium Shows

As spring settles in, May offers warm nights for stargazing and a stellar JJC S.T.E.A.M Fair! This month features not one, but two full Moons - The Flower Moon and a rare Blue Moon, a dazzling meteor shower, and a fresh view of springtime constellations lighting up the sky. Discover it all at the Trackman Planetarium, where you can explore the universe, unlock cosmic curiosities, and experience the wonders of the stars. Come see what’s shining above JJC. Your journey through the cosmos begins here.

Planetarium shows are free to attend. All ages welcome!

✮ ALL SHOWS ARE HELD 6:00-7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted ✮

✧ Tuesday, May 5
“Mayan Archeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe” connects history and mythology, science and culture. View the universe through the eyes of the 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. Tour 6 monumental Mayan ruins that are still standing today (San Gervasio, Chicchen Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná Palenque, and Bonampak.) A captivating trip through space and time.

✧ Thursday, May 7
“Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter” showcases Science’s greatest mystery, the exploration of dark matter - from the Big Bang to galaxy formation to the Large Hadron Collider. Journey inside CERN, the world’s largest particle accelerator, to understand the hidden fabrics of the universe. 
An immersive insight into the complex structure of what holds galaxies together.

✧ Tuesday, May 12
“Worlds of Curiosity” dives into the ultimate “what if?” questions of the universe…Minecraft style! What if Earth had no moon? Would your nights in survival mode look different? What if our planet was tilted like Uranus? What would it take to terraform an exoplanet? This full dome adventure sparks creative mode imagination while exploring real planetary science in a way that’s fun, thrilling, and out of this world! Perfect for young Minecrafters, gamers, explorers, and future space builders!

✧ Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30p.m.
“Constellations” performed by JJC’s THEA-102: Performance of Literature students! “Constellations” is a two-person play exploring how love, choice, and multiple realities intertwine. It follows Marianne and Roland as their relationship unfolds through alternate versions of their story, showing how small decisions can lead to vastly different outcomes. 
This play in the Planetarium blends romance with science and conceptual quantum physics to examine fate, free will, and connection. Each alternative reality revealing that in an infinite cosmos, every possible outcome can exist at once.
 Visit Liberal & Fine Arts | Joliet Junior College to explore theatre events, music, arts, and more!
NOTE: This play contains mature themes and language.

✧ Thursday, May 14 at 6:00p.m.
“Messengers of Time & Space” Journey through the universe to discover how cosmic signals like light, particles, and gravitational waves serve as messengers from the farthest reaches of space and the deepest moments in time. From supernovae to black holes, learn how these powerful clues help scientists unravel the history of the cosmos and explore the forces that shape our universe. The world’s most powerful telescopes like Gemini and the Vera C. Rubin are revealing these celestial marvels like never before!

✧ Thursday, May 14 at 7:30p.m.
“Constellations” performed by JJC’s THEA-102: Performance of Literature students! “Constellations” is a two-person play exploring how love, choice, and multiple realities intertwine. It follows Marianne and Roland as their relationship unfolds through shifted, alternate versions of their story, showing how small decisions can lead to vastly different outcomes. 
This play in the Planetarium blends romance with science and conceptual quantum physics to examine fate, free will, and connection. Each alternative reality revealing that in an infinite cosmos, every possible outcome can exist at once. 
Visit Liberal & Fine Arts | Joliet Junior College to explore theatre events, music, arts, and more!
NOTE: This play contains mature themes and language.

✧ Tuesday, May 19
“The International Space Station: Off the Earth, for the Earth, & 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, May 21
The Trackman Planetarium will be CLOSED on May 21
✧ Tuesday, May 26
The Trackman Planetarium will be CLOSED on May 26.

✧ Thursday, May 28 at 5:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.
JJC Family STEAM Fair is an exciting, hands-on event that celebrates the creativity and innovation of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics right here at JJC. Designed for curious minds of all ages, the fair brings learning to life through interactive experiences and engaging activities.
Explore student-led demonstrations, immersive planetarium shows, prizes, and dynamic exhibits that highlight how STEAM shapes the community around us. From experimenting with 3D printing, Architectural studies, to discovering mathematical applications of science, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 
Bring your friends, family, and sense of curiosity to explore, create, and discover something new together at the JJC Family STEAM Fair. 
 

Come back next month for the June show schedule...

About the JJC Planetarium

You're invited to explore the Universe at JJC's Trackman Planetarium! 

Located in Room F-1001 on Joliet Junior College's Main Campus, the Trackman Planetarium welcomes the public to experience the wonders of the cosmos. Our 55-seat, theatre-style dome offers an immersive environment where science comes to life. No registration required. 
Join us for free public shows every Tuesday and Thursday evening 6:00-7:00p.m. (unless otherwise noted). 

Interested in booking a field trip for your school? JJC's Trackman Planetarium makes learning about science FUN and memorable. JJC field trip opportunities are held on select Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays all year long! These free, unique presentations are tailored to your students' grade level and designed to align with classroom curriculum. Prepare for a stellar journey covering topics from science and mythology to history, literature, art, anatomy, and beyond. A trip to the Trackman offers an unforgettable learning experience in a unique one-of-a-kind setting.
 Space is limited. Reserve your spot early!

Private group presentations are also available during field trip hours or select Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Whether you're a Scout troop, library, day care, senior center, special needs facility, church, or lifelong learner organization, we offer engaging, private shows that inspire curiosity and spark discovery. 

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