The Charleston Planetarium features an inflatable digital planetarium dome offering an immersive hemispherical viewing experience.
Please note that our current seating, generously donated, does not tilt or include headrests. Guests with back or neck concerns may want to consider this when purchasing tickets.
Planetarium Guest Guidelines:
- Late arrivals may not be admitted. Please arrive within 10 minutes of the show’s start time. No admittance 5 minutes after the show’s start time.
- Quiet is a requirement for visitors to hear and enjoy our shows, much like a movie theater. Because of this, shows may not be ideal for some young children.
- Ticket exchange – If you have pre-purchased tickets and arrive after the cutoff, we’ll gladly exchange them for another show when possible.
- Only water is allowed inside the theater; no other food or drinks, please.
- Please remain respectful and quiet during the show to ensure an enjoyable experience for all, Disruptive behavior may result in removal.
- Restrooms are available in the mall—just follow the signs outside the planetarium. We kindly encourage guests to use them before the show begins.
- Watch your step when entering the planetarium.
- Please do not touch any equipment once inside the dome. They are delicate and essential to the show.
Max Goes to the Moon: A Science Adventure with Max the Dog
Join Max the Dog and his friend Tori as they blast off on an exciting adventure to the Moon! This fun and educational animated storybook takes you to a Moon colony, where the beautiful views of Earth help everyone realize just how special our planet is. Perfect for kids and grown-ups to learn together, this show is packed with exciting activities and fascinating science lessons.
Audience: Ages 4+
Duration: 32 minutes + Live Show
From Earth to the Universe
Get ready for an amazing adventure through space! This thrilling show takes you on a journey from our home planet to the farthest reaches of the universe. Travel past planets in our Solar System, zoom by our blazing Sun, and explore the colorful birthplaces of stars! You’ll even journey beyond the Milky Way to discover countless galaxies. Along the way, learn how ancient astronomers and today’s giant telescopes have helped us understand the mysteries of the cosmos.
Audience: Ages 8+
Duration: 30 minutes + Live Show
One Sky
People from all over the world look up at the same sky, but they see it in different ways! Travel across the globe and see how different people have used the night sky to navigate, tell stories, and understand the universe. Through stunning visuals and fascinating tales, this show reminds us that no matter where we are, we are all connected under one sky.
Audience: Ages 6+
Duration: 40 minutes + Live Show
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
Astronauts heading to Mars will face incredible challenges like isolation, radiation, and altered gravity during their two-year journey. This thrilling adventure reveals how NASA is preparing them for the trip, focusing on how teamwork, creativity, and science are key to staying healthy and motivated in space. From problem-solving to collaboration, this mission will require a diverse set of skills to ensure a safe return. Get inspired by how these astronauts, along with the next generation of explorers, are shaping the future of space travel.
Audience: Ages 8+
Duration: 26 minutes + Live Show
Dark Matter Mystery
What keeps galaxies together? What are the building blocks of the Universe? What makes the Universe look the way it looks today? Researchers all around the world try to answer these questions. We know today that approximately a quarter of the Universe is filled with a mysterious glue: Dark Matter. We know that it is out there. But we have no idea what it is made out of.
Audience: Ages 14+
Duration: 38 minutes + Live Show
Cosmology
The study of our universe is as old as time, yet our understanding of the origins and nature of the universe is less than 100 years old. This full-dome planetarium program is an exciting overview of the science of cosmology. From early ideas about the size of the universe to the Big Bang Theory, this show explores how our understanding of the universe has grown and changed over time.
Audience: Ages 12+
Duration: 24 minutes + Live Show