The Planetarium at UT-Arlington is the only one in Texas with a Digistar 4 DLP Projection system. The 60 foot dome and sophisticated technology has revolutionized the audience experience. Open to the public, in addition to shows about astronomy, there are $2 showings of recent feature films on Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 2:30pm. The Planetarium offers programming for all ages and is available for group/corporate rentals as well as birthday parties and other special events.
The Planetarium at UT-Arlington
Chemistry-Physics Building on UTA campus
700 Planetarium Place
(817) 272-0123
www.uta.edu/planetarium
The Planetarium at UT-Arlington is a one-of-a-kind teaching, learning and special occasion facility. In addition to charting the skies and traveling the galaxy, the Planetarium presents kid-friendly (and educational) shows as well as movies.
Open to the public, the movies take place on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and cost only $2. Inside the cool air conditioned auditorium which seats nearly 150, there are comfortable reclining seats, wheelchair friendly access, and radio headsets for the hearing impaired.
Ticket prices (excluding the $2 feature films) for planetarium shows featuring astronomy are: $6 adults, $4 seniors (65+), $4 children (18 & under); $3 UTA students w/ID; $4 non-UTA students; $4 UTA alumni/faculty/staff w/ID. Groups of 15-or-more should make a reservation 24 hours in advance to receive a discount ($4 per person per ticket). The phone number for Group Reservations is (817) 272-1183.
Here is the WINTER/SPRING SCHEDULE (January 4th through May 31st), but I suggest you confirm dates/show times by calling the pre-recorded show line number at (817) 272-0123.
SATURDAYS:
*1:00pm “Astronaut” (See what it takes to become an Astronaut and the effect space has on the human body)
*2:30pm $2 Movie (January 7th is “Harry Potter & The Deathly Hollows Part 2”; January 14th is “Super 8”; January 21st is “Thor”; January 28th is “Fast Five”)
*5:30pm: “We Are Astronomers” (reveals the global collaboration, technology and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the universe)
*7:00pm: “Pink Floyd” (enjoy a 60’s style laser lights show set to the music of Pink Floyd)
SUNDAYS:
*1:30pm “Cosmic Colors”
*2:30pm “SpacePark 360” (an out-of-this-work entertainment experience. Get transported to surreal vistas and experience the most thrilling amusement park rides the solar system has to offer)
MONDAYS: Closed
TUESDAYS:
*6pm “Cosmic Colors”
WEDNESDAYS:
*5:30pm: $2 Movie (Jan 4th is“Harry Potter & The Deathly Hollows Part 2”; January 11th is “Super 8”; January 18th is “Thor”; January 25th is “Fast Five”)
THURSDAYS:
*6:00pm “We Are Astronomers” (reveals the global collaboration, technology and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the universe)
FRIDAYS:
*5:30pm $2 movie (January 6th is “Harry Potter & The Deathly Hollows Part 2”; January 13th is “Super 8”; January 20th is “Thor”; January 27th is “Fast Five”)
The Planetarium is an awesome idea for field trips for your school or organization. And what a cool birthday party! They’ve even hosted corporate events, family reunions and sweet 16 birthday parties. Yes, they even offer catering (click here for catering menu: https://www.uta.edu/planetarium/_content/pdf/general/catering-menu.pdf
The Planetarium Dome Theatre seats 148 people, but there is also an atrium area (comfortable seating for 50 or standing area comfortable for 75-100 guests)as well as an executive conference room (3rd floor of Chemistry-Physics Building, planetarium is at ground level entrance). So this is a venue to consider to presentations, ceremonies, corporate gatherings, and parties.
If you’re thinking of having a children’s birthday party here, rental of the dome theatre is $225 which includes one show (you can choose from a long list of shows) and one hour in the atrium for cake/presents. For an extra $50 you can get a customized show that would include some visual effects (e.g. snow falling, slideshows, etc.).
When you book a private show, you may choose from the following options: “Astronaut”, “Bad Astronomy”, “Black Holes”, “IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System”, “Ice Worlds”, “Magnificent Sun”, “Microcosm”, “Nanocam”, “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure”, “Pink Floyd”, “Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 1”, “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket”, “Spacepark 360”, “Star of the Pharoahs”, “Time Space”, “Two Small Pieces of Glass”, “Unseen Universe, the Vision of SOFIA”, “Violent Universe”, “We Are Astronomers”, and “Wonders of the Universe”.
The Planetarium staff will work with you to choose a show that is age appropriate. They’ll also answer questions about event planning. Call them at (817) 272-1183.
To help arrange a Field Trip for your organization, click here: https://www.uta.edu/planetarium/schools/
The Planetarium is located inside the Chemistry-Physics building in the heart of the UT-Arlington campus. Parking (especially on weekdays when school is in-session) is not available immediately in front of the building but there is a drop-off circle drive in front of the building’s entrance. There is a covered parking garage a short distance away (one-half block south of Planetarium) at $1.50 per hour with validated parking ticket (get it validated at Planetarium box office).
Free parking on Sunday (you still need to have it validated). If you don’t want to pay for covered parking, you may park in “Student Surface Lots” which are free from 5pm Friday to 5am Monday (Friday evenings through Sunday nights, only).
As for directions/maps (For the purpose of Google maps, the address is listed as 700 College Street), from South Cooper Street, turn east on S. Nedderman Drive, go one block to Planetarium Place (turn left on Planetarium Place). For the parking garage, go past Planetarium Place and turn left on S. West St (garage is located at corner of S. Nedderman and S. West St.).
Click here for directions and parking: https://www.uta.edu/planetarium/about/directions-and-parking.php
