Available Programs

This is a list of available programs. We can show the same program throughout the day or change to meet your needs / interests. We are limited only by the available time.

Live Night Sky Tour

Atendees are taken on a live, instructor led tour of the night sky. These are the primary focus of our programs.

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

STORIES IN THE STARS

Join the SkyDome host for a fun filled tour of the sky. Students will learn about the constellations and hear some of the stories of the stars.

20 minutes

3rd -7th Grades

WHAT’S UP IN THE NIGHT SKY

The SkyDome host takes students on a tour of the current night sky. Students will learn:

Current season’s constellations
How the sky moves
Why the “North Star” is so important
How to find the planets
Moon phases

20 minutes

8th - 12th Grades

THE LIFE OF STARS

The SkyDome host takes students on a tour of the current night sky with an emphasis on the lifecycle of the stars. Students will learn:

Current season’s constellations
How astronomer’s divide the sky
How to find the planets and their properties
Examples of various deep sky objects (galaxies, nebula) found around the current night sky

20 minutes

Full Dome Shows

These professionally produced full dome programs are the same ones seen in planetariums around the world. Choose one or mix and match to meet your interest and available time.

2026-2027 Recommended Program

“Moonbase: The Next Step”

We are thrilled to unveil the headlining program for the this school year at Southern Skies Planetarium: “Moonbase: The Next Step.”

The Story of a New Era

Since that historic day on July 21, 1969, humanity has dared to dream of more than just a footprint—we have dreamed of a home among the stars. After two decades of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station, we are ready to move farther into the solar system.

In the next ten years, that dream will become reality. We are heading back to the Moon to develop a sustained, strategic presence near the lunar South Pole. It will serve as our first “staging post,” bringing Mars and the rest of our solar system tantalizingly closer.

What to Expect

“Moonbase: The Next Step” is an immersive exploration of this bold human endeavor. Designed specifically for the 360° Fulldome format, this show pushes the boundaries of science and technology. Students will:

- Experience the Hostile Frontier: Discover the science required to survive reduced gravity, extreme temperature fluctuations, and toxic lunar dust.

- Witness the Innovation: Learn how we plan to extract water and minerals, grow food, and build a permanent base in one of the most challenging environments imaginable.

- Share the Wonder: Experience the awe, danger, and trepidation of a mission that will define the next generation of space exploration.

Prepare your students for a breath-taking lunar experience that turns the science fiction of the past into the scientific reality of the future.

See the trailer at:https://youtu.be/AIxidTtCp4I?si=Mozy2RqQTTzh7gN1

Max Goes to the Moon

Max (the dog) and a young girl named Tori take the first trip to the Moon since the Apollo era. Along the way, they learn about the phases of the moon, the Apollo moon landings, and lunar gravity — all thoughtfully explained so that grownups and children can learn together about science.

Based on the first children’s science book read from the Space Station.

Runtime: 20 Minutes
Grade: K-2nd

Forward To The Moon

Artemis II sent humans around the Moon in April 2026 for the first time since 1972! This planetarium program shares the excitement of the Artemis program and encourages students to consider joining the team to make our future in space a reality.

Kari Byron from MythBusters launches us on a journey beyond the Earth towards a future in space. NASA’s 21st century Artemis program, named after the Greek moon goddess and twin of Apollo, is the next step in our mission to explore the universe and land on the Moon.

Learn about the mission, the Lunar Gateway, and the robotic missions that’ll lead the way. Hear from the astronauts who may one day be the next humans to step foot on the moon!

Runtime: 21 Minutes
Grade: 3rd and up

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage takes viewers on a thrilling 2-year journey to Mars, exploring the extraordinary challenges—long distance, a closed environment, isolation, altered gravity, radiation. What will it take to get astronauts to Mars—and back—safely? The film shows how creativity, collaboration, communication, and expertise in a diverse number of fields are key for the success of deep space travel—while also inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals! Witness what it takes to embark on the first human mission beyond Earth’s orbit.

The Bell Museum collaborated with NASA and the UNC Morehead Planetarium and Science Center to create this new planetarium show.

Runtime: 30 Minutes
Grade: 3rd and up

Two Small Pieces of Glass

While attending a local star party, two young stargazers learn how the telescope has helped us understand our place in space and how telescopes continue to expand our understanding of the Universe. Their conversation with a local astronomer enlightens them on the history of the telescope and the discoveries these wonderful tools have made. The students see how telescopes work and how the largest observatories in the world use these instruments to explore the mysteries of the universe.

Runtime: 23 Minutes
Grade: 3rd and up

Science Exhibits

Below are some photos of our available science exhibits. We rotate, add and subtract science exhibits on a regular basis and change them based on grades. The exhibits we bring to your program may be different than what is shown here.