Morrison Planetarium

The interior of Morrison Planetarium—one of the world's largest all-digital domes.
Journey to the edges of the cosmos in Tour of the Universe—now playing.
The planetarium's iconic dome sits adjacent to Reef Lagoon.

Our 75-foot dome will immerse you inside cutting-edge visualizations and hyper-realistic virtual environments. From faraway galaxies to the workings of our own planet, experience the cosmos like never before.

Morrison Planetarium shows are fueled by cutting-edge scientific data, resulting in stunning visualizations of the latest observations, discoveries, and theories about our Universe. Every star, planet, spacecraft, or galaxy a viewer encounters in the planetarium precisely mirrors a real-world counterpart, and when this virtual cosmos is projected onto Morrison’s 75-foot-diameter screen, the dome itself seems to disappear, resulting in a uniquely immersive experience.

Free reservations are required for all shows and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. View the FAQs below for more information. Please note: Planetarium shows may not be appropriate for children under 7, and we regret that we cannot permit any child under 4.

Now playing!

Explore our current shows below, and view our Daily Calendar for showtimes.

Spark: The Universe in Us
Journey through space and time to discover the celestial origins of the elements we all share. Narrated by Diego Luna.

Habitat Earth
Explore the ever-expanding web of life—and our place in it—in this original planetarium show. Narrated by Frances McDormand.

Passport to the Universe
Travel from our Solar System to the Virgo Supercluster and back again for an astronaut’s-eye view of the incredible objects that constitute our Universe. Narrated by Tom Hanks.

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An artist's rendering of the planets of the Solar System

Lecture series

The planetarium welcomes some of the brightest stars in the astronomy world to the stage as part of the Benjamin Dean Astronomy Lecture series.

A view of the planetarium dome and Reef Lagoon © Tim Griffith 2008

About the dome

Mimicking the tilt of planet Earth, the frame of the dome—composed of 100 percent recycled steel—supports a NanoSeam projection screen that seems to disappear when lit, creating a true-to-life recreation of luminous, faraway space and skies.

Hours and location

Morrison Planetarium is open daily—check out our Daily Calendar for showtimes. Find it on the Main Floor across from the Lab Junior Store.

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Licensing inquiries

For more information on licensing fulldome shows from the California Academy of Sciences, please contact us at businesspartnerships@calacademy.org.

Frequently asked questions

We want to make sure you have all the info you need for a safe, stellar experience. Click the + below to expand each FAQ, and email us at info@calacademy.org if you don’t find what you need.

How do I make a reservation?

Reservations are required to attend a planetarium show, and making them is fast and free with your smartphone. When you get to the Academy, keep an eye out for lobby signage with QR codes. Then:

Aim your smartphone camera or QR code reader app at the QR code posted in the lobby or at the entrance to the planetarium
Tap the URL that appears
On the webpage that opens up in your browser, tap your desired show, then your desired showtime
Enter your name, phone number, and size of your party (maximum 8) and confirm your reservation

You’ll receive a text message confirming your reservation and showtime, as well as a reminder 10 minutes before showtime. Please be sure to arrive on time as we may not be able to accommodate latecomers.

There is no charge to make a reservation with your smartphone, but message and data rates may apply depending on your carrier. If no reservations are available, please try again later as additional showtimes are often released throughout the day. Need help making a reservation? Ask any Academy staff member for assistance.

What if there are no showtimes available during my visit?

Reservations for the planetarium are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are a limited number of reservations available per day. We regret that we can’t guarantee the availability of reservations during periods of high demand, especially weekends and holidays, and recommend making your reservations as soon as you arrive for the greatest selection of available timeslots.

If no timeslots are available, please try again later as additional reservations are often released throughout the day, or tune in to a simulcast livestream on YouTube and Facebook on the last Wednesday of every month at 4:30 pm PT. Please help us maximize timeslot availability by only making reservations that you can keep, and canceling if you can’t make it.

Academy members and donors enjoy priority reservation access at the time of booking—and the freedom to visit all year long. Join today for as low as $99/year.