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.

June Planetarium Shows

As Summer approaches, the night sky comes alive with celestial marvels, dazzling constellations, and planetary pairings. 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 ✮
 

✧ Tuesday, June 3
“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.

✧ Thursday, June 5
“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, June 10
“Worlds of Curiosity” explores some of the greatest “what if?” questions of the universe. What would it be like to live on an Earth with no Moon? What if Earth was tilted on its side like Uranus? What would it take to terraform Mars? This full dome film is a fantastic production for Minecraft lovers and strongly engages the imaginations of younger audience. A great show for kids!

✧ Thursday, June 12
“Birth of Planet Earth” This show tells the gripping tale of our planet's origins. Scientists now understand that our galaxy is teeming with solar systems, including billions of planets comparable to Earth. This film uses advanced cinematic-quality visuals 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, June 17
“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”. 

✧ Thursday, June 19
The Trackman Planetarium at JJC will be CLOSED on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. Join us next week for a stellar adventure! 

✧ Tuesday, June 24
“Weather: Wonders and Mysteries Revealed” This full dome production takes us inside the planet’s most fascinating weather phenomena. Learn about weather patterns and ecosystem changes. Experience meteorological events like thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards, and more. Educational and entertaining!

✧ Thursday, June 26
“Music Under the Stars” Full dome music videos including Elton John, Queen, Marillion, and more! This show will include a brief tour of the night sky before we immerse in a symphony of timeless tunes. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the classics!

Come back next month for July'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 (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 ✮