Strickler Planetarium

Witness the full scope of the planetarium’s new digital projection capabilities with this full-dome video presentation outlining mankind’s exploration of space from the launch of Sputnik to space tourism and beyond. This computer-animated odyssey puts viewers in the cockpits of the first manned space missions and on the lunar surface with the Apollo astronauts. The incredible visualizations and a soundtrack that includes favorites like Coldplay make this an engaging program for all ages. Educational content geared toward middle school to adult ages.

Blast off with two children as they use the power of their imaginations and the knowledge of a talking astronomy book to explore the planets of the solar system. Visit each planet in turn (including a certain well-known dwarf planet) to get a close-up look at their surfaces and learn more about their environments.Though the show is aimed primarily for children pre-K to early middle school level, full-dome video effects make this an exhilarating educational ride for all ages. Topics treated include the nature of the Sun, the inner planets, the gas giants, Pluto, temperature and pressure, and asteroids. Show time approximately 45 minutes (including live star talk). The show is also available to school groups or private groups as an extended version or Spanish language version.

Narrated by Star Wars' Mark Hamill and with a soundtrack performed by the Nashville Orchestra, this show explores the dynamic life and death of stars, the powerhouses of the universe.  This show is suitable for general audiences and educationally geared toward middle school level and above.  STARS explores star birth, giant stars, pulsars, and black holes as well as a providing a brief history of astronomy and an introduction to our solar system, the galaxy, and the nature of light.  Running time approximately 25 minutes.

STARS is a production of Adventure Science Center, Sudekum Planetarium, Nashville, TN

Explore the holiday sky in this live presentation that introduces the brightest stars of the Christmas sky.  Then take a trip back in time to speculate on the nature and origin of the most famous star of Christmas: the star of Bethlehem.

A community favorite is back!  Visit the planetarium for a spook-tacular presentation that includes a virtual trip through a haunted castle and a wild ride on a space coaster.  Show time is approximately 25 minutes and is appropriate for all ages.  The cost is only $1 per person, though seating at each show is limited to 50.

This show is a celebration of the International Year of Astronomy and the 400^th anniversary of Galileo’s first observations through the telescope.  Viewers visit a night-sky party with two young astronomy enthusiasts as they learn about the history of the telescope, the nature of light, and current frontiers of astronomy research. High-quality digital and video effects allow the viewer to travel in time and space, visiting Galileo and Newton as they make their historic discoveries and witnessing the frontiers of astronomy that have come from their work. Suitable for middle school and above, this show is an excellent introduction to astronomy and optics.

Peer deep into space through the eyes of the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope and travel back billions of years in time to witness the birth of the universe. On this breathtaking excursion you'll witness the formation of galaxies and explore some of the most wondrous nebulae and astronomical structures yet discovered. As your travels continue, you'll fly deep into our own Milky Way galaxy and return home to Earth on a spectacular tour through the solar system. Appropriate for middle school to adult audiences.  Show time approximately 45 minutes.