Visit Haile Planetarium
Located in the Natural Science Center 409 at Northern Kentucky University. Parking is directed to the Kenton Garage or Welcome Center Garage. There will be a fee for parking. Visit https://map.nku.edu/ for campus maps and driving directions.

Please select the program(s) which you would like to attend, the number of seats you will need, and then enter your contact information.

Free Fridays: We will offer shows at 7:00 p.m. each Friday. These programs are free and family friendly. Reservations can be made below. There will be room for a few walk-ins.

Special Events & Laser Shows: Other programs and special events are generally geared toward mixed audiences, unless otherwise noted. For programs with ticket fees, you will be asked to enter credit card information on the final page of registration. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. These special events require reservations. Laser shows are only offered periodically. If no dates are listed below, none are currently scheduled.

RSVPs will open on a continuous schedule. If you don't see the date you wish to attend, come back two weeks prior to that date.

Please add connect@nku.edu and mail@eventsairmail.com to your safe email senders list, as those are the addresses that will be sending confirmations and reminders about these events.

There are NO PHYSICAL TICKETS to the Haile Planetarium. Your name and your selections will be on a RSVP list when you arrive. Please check in with staff upon arrival.  The Haile Planetarium is general admission and there are no reserved seats.  We do offer handicap accessible seating upon request. The planetarium is wheelchair friendly. 

If you would like to more details, visit https://inside.nku.edu/artsci/departments/pget/planetarium/calendar.html.

Please Provide Your Contact Details

January 23, 2026 - One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure

Friday, Jan 23 from 7-8 p.m.

In this free planetarium show, join Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from "Zhima Jie," the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Together they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. They also journey to Zhima Jie to learn about the similarities in our view of the sky. This show will be paired with a zoo-themed tour of the night sky.

This program is appropriate for families with young children.

Each public show includes a live presentation about the current night sky, followed by the full-dome planetarium video.

January 30, 2026 - Dark Matter Mystery

Friday, Jan 30 from 7-8 p.m.

Delve into one of the most intriguing mysteries of modern astrophysics: dark matter. This fascinating planetarium show unravels what we know—and don't know—about the elusive substance that makes up most of the universe's mass. Explore how scientists are working to uncover its secrets and how solving this mystery could transform our understanding of the cosmos.

Each public show includes a live presentation about the current night sky, followed by the full-dome planetarium video.

January 30, 2026 - Galactic Grooves: An Owl City Laser Showcase

Friday, Jan 30 from 8:15-9:15 p.m.

Experience the music of Owl City like never before as Haile Planetarium showcases the work of middle school students in a family-friendly laser show set to Owl City's electronic pop tunes. From the twinkling of "Fireflies" to the rhythms of "To the Sky," each track is brought to life with vibrant lasers. Don't miss this extraordinary showcase of talent and innovation, where music and technology collide in a spellbinding spectacle created by participants in Haile Planetarium's Middle School Laser Camp in 2023 and 2025.
AMOUNT
10.00
TOTAL

February 6, 2026 - Betelgeuse's Galactic Vacation

Friday, Feb 6 from 7-8 p.m.

Join our friend Betelgeuse, an alien from the Andromeda Galaxy as he searches for a planet in the Milky Way for vacation! This family friendly show explores different exoplanets and what makes a place suitable for life. This show is aimed towards younger audiences who already have learned what planets are. It starts on Earth, before taking off to explore all over the Milky Way. While flying around the galaxy, the audience learns about different types of planets, exoplanetary systems, and habitable zones before returning back to Earth. This show is paired with an interactive Design Your Own Constellations tour. Unleash your creativity with this interactive experience, encouraging participants to imagine and design their own constellations. Learn how early astronomers connected stars to create shapes and bring your own celestial designs to life.

Each public show includes a live presentation about the current night sky, followed by the full-dome planetarium video.

February 13, 2206 - Out There: The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds

Friday, Feb 13 from 7-8 p.m.

For thousands of years, mankind thought that the Earth was the center of the Universe. Thanks to our curiosity, imagination and urge to explore, we now know that planets like our Earth are nothing special in the cosmos. The Sun is just one ordinary star among hundreds of billions in our galaxy, the Milky Way. With the world’s most powerful telescopes, we are able to explore more and more of the Universe. What we have found so far has surpassed even the wildest expectations of scientists as well as authors of science fiction. Most stars have planets — it turns out they are more common than we thought. This show is paired with a tour of the night sky focused on Greco-Roman mythology. Delve into the rich mythology behind the stars as you explore constellations with stories from Greco-Roman mythology (modified to be family-friendly). Learn how these ancient cultures interpreted the night sky, linking constellations to the myths of gods, heroes, and legendary creatures, bringing the night sky to life with timeless tales.

Each public show includes a live presentation about the current night sky, followed by the full-dome planetarium video.

February 13, 2026 - Neon Queens: '90s Pop Icons Laser Show

Friday, Feb 13 from 8:15-9:15 p.m.

Join us for Neon Queens: ‘90s Pop Icons, a laser show that celebrates the music of pop legends Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. As the lights dim, enjoy favorites like "...Baby One More Time," "(You Drive Me) Crazy," and "Stronger," accompanied by vibrant visuals that transport you back to the late '90s. This tribute highlights the friendship and rivalry of two iconic artists, honoring their enduring legacies. Experience the fusion of nostalgia and rhythm that will leave you dancing all night!
AMOUNT
10.00
TOTAL

February 20, 2026 - Magic Tree House Space Mission

Friday, Feb 20 from 7-8 p.m.

Join Jack and Annie from the Magic Tree House series on a thrilling Space Mission. In Magic Tree House® Space Mission, a mysterious “M” sends the intrepid Jack and Annie on a fun-filled journey to discover the secrets of the Sun, Moon, planets, space travel and more. This engaging mix of hands-on astronomy and enchanting storytelling promises a memorable cosmic journey.


Each public show includes a live presentation about the current night sky, followed by the full-dome planetarium video.

February 27, 2026 - Cosmic Chronicles: The Saga of Stars

Friday, Feb 27 from 7-8 p.m.

Cosmic Chronicles: The Saga of Stars is an immersive and interactive planetarium show designed to captivate audiences of all ages while exploring the fascinating process of stellar lifecycles. This 60-minute experience combines stunning visuals, engaging storytelling, and interactive elements to take viewers on a cosmic journey from the birth of stars in nebulae to their spectacular deaths as supernovae or white dwarfs.

February 27, 2026 - Dome Floyd Laser Show

Friday, Feb 27 from 8:15-9:15 p.m.

Experience Classic rock as never before, accompanied by dazzling visual effects during this planetarium/laser light show. Be sure to catch this sensational show celebrating Pink Floyd's iconic album Dark Side of the Moon.
AMOUNT
10.00
TOTAL

Can you help us reach for the stars? 

Give to the Haile Planetarium: https://supportnku.nku.edu/Planetarium  

Summary

Terms and Conditions
If you need to cancel your reservation, please email connect@nku.edu. There are NO REFUNDS for canceled reservations.

Payment

This page may take a few moments to process. Please click the Submit button only once. Do not refresh your browser or click the back button until you see the Thank You page.


Payment Processing   

Thank you for making reservations at the Haile Digital Planetarium. You will receive an email receipt of your reservations. If you have any questions or need to make changes to your reservations, please call Melanie Hartzel at 859.572.1432 or email hartzelm@nku.edu.


Thank you for your reservation to the Haile Planetarium at Northern Kentucky University. Please add mail@eventsairmail.com to your safe email senders list, as those are the addresses that will be sending confirmations and reminders about these events.

There are NO PHYSICAL TICKETS to the Haile Planetarium. Your name and your selections will be on a RSVP list when you arrive. Please check in with staff upon arrival.  The Haile Planetarium is general admission and there are no reserved seats.  We do offer handicap accessible seating upon request. The planetarium is wheelchair friendly. 

The Haile Planetarium is located in the Natural Science Center 409, off of Kenton Drive. Parking is directed to the Kenton Garage. Visit https://map.nku.edu/ for campus maps and driving directions. There will be a fee for parking. 
We are using a temporary cookie to streamline your experience. No personal data is stored and the cookie is removed once you complete your registration.

Your Browser Settings have Cookies Disabled

This site requires a temporary cookie to streamline your experience. No personal data is stored and the cookie will be removed once you complete your registration. Please enable cookies in your browser and refresh this page.