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 scientific topics.

May Planetarium Shows

As spring unfolds, the night sky comes alive with celestial marvels—from dazzling constellations and planetary pairings to a meteor shower and International Astronomy Day. 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 START AT 6:00pm ✮ 

✧ Thursday, May 1
"May Day Q&A" at the Trackman Planetarium is an audience-guided presentation. 𝐘𝐎𝐔 lead the show! Any space questions you may have, or topics you'd like to investigate - Let's explore them together!

✧ Tuesday, May 6
“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… the dark side lurks on Revenge of the Sixth.

✧ Thursday, May 8
The Trackman Planetarium will be CLOSED on May 8 for the Troy School District’s Year-End Event. Join us next week for a stellar adventure!

✧ Tuesday, May 13 
“Always Above: Space Is Closer Than You Think” Did you know there are an estimated 10,000 satellites orbiting overhead today? We utilize these satellites every day for shopping, communication, navigation, entertainment, and more! This film brings to perspective just how close space is to home and how these technologies affect our everyday lives. Explore the different types of satellites, their orbital patterns, the threats they pose, and the role of the U.S. Space Force in operating these assets. A ★ NEW SHOW! ★ premier at the Trackman Planetarium with giveaways and freebies!

✧ Thursday, May 15
“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) at the Trackman Planetarium.

✧Tuesday, May 20
“Two Small Pieces of Glass: The Amazing Telescope” – 400 years ago, a simple adjustment of a child’s spyglass revealed for the first time an infinite and perplexing universe to our eyes. Aiming to engage audiences of all ages, this planetarium show explores the wonder and discovery made by astronomers that redefined our understanding of the cosmos. Gaze even further into the distant past – and into our future.

✧ Thursday, May 22
“Beyond the Sun: In Search of a New Earth” is an award-winning full dome show that journeys through the universe to discover exoplanets and learn how they can be detected. The show discusses keywords like atmosphere, the Doppler Effect, light waves, rogue planets, and more. Travel with Celeste and her guide, the Moon, beyond our solar system, beyond our Sun, and beyond our wildest imaginations

✧ Tuesday, May 27
“Cosmic Origins: Spectrograph” An instrument aboard the Hubble Space Telescope examines ultraviolet light and peers into the darkness of deep space. This full dome show is a colorful journey into the depth of the cosmic web – revealing the mysterious origins of our universe. COS helps us understand the evolution of the cosmos and what it looked like billions of years ago. Glimpse into galaxies, quasars, black holes, supernova, and more!

✧ Thursday, May 29
The Trackman Planetarium at JJC will be CLOSED on May 29 for annual maintenance and repairs. Join us next week for a stellar adventure! 

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

About the JJC Planetarium

The public is welcome 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 (unless otherwise noted).

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 select Mondays and Wednesdays for the Summer months! 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 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 ✮