Welcome to the SCCS Planetarium
Welcome to the Southern Cayuga Planetarium, where every journey begins with a single star. Prepare to embark on a celestial adventure unlike any other letting your imagination soar as we explore the wonders of the cosmos together. We are currently offering two ways to experience the mysteries of space!
Community Evening Shows
FINAL Show Date for the 2025-26 School Year: June 8
OUR MAY 11th SHOW IS NOW FULL!!!!!
- Doors will open at 5:15pm for a prompt 5:30pm start!
- To reserve your seats for this evening, please fill out this form
- You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of completing your reservation. PLEASE LOOK FOR THIS EMAIL to be sure your seats have been secured!!!!
From Earth to the Universe (30 Minutes)
The night sky, both beautiful and mysterious, has been the subject of campfire stories, ancient myths and awe for as long as there have been people. A desire to comprehend the Universe may well be humanity's oldest shared intellectual experience. Yet only recently have we truly begun to grasp our place in the vast cosmos. To learn about this journey of celestial discovery, from the theories of the ancient Greek astronomers to today's grandest telescopes, we invite you to experience From Earth to the Universe. Origins, telescopes, tour of planets, stars, supernovas. Journey to the Center of the Milky Way (7 minutes)
What lies at the heart of our galaxy? For twenty years, ESO’s Very Large Telescope and the Keck telescopes have observed the center of the galaxy, looking at the motion of more than a hundred stars and identifying the position of an otherwise invisible object — the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Embark on a Journey to the Center of the Milky Way and during seven minutes travel faster than light, from the driest place on Earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile right to the center of our own galaxy, where a black hole is consuming anything that strays into its path. Reserving Your Seats
To reserve your seats, please fill out the Google Form linked above. Times of shows may vary, and occasionally we offer hands on activities before the show begins.
Southern Cayuga Central Schools is pleased to offer evening shows for families to enjoy! Typically these shows are offered monthly from October through June. The shows generally average 30 minutes followed by 10-15 minutes of interactive learning of space facts. To extend your experience, the evening concludes with each family receiving a follow up 'To Go' activity to be completed at home. Please reference each month's show write up for more specific details and your reservation link. Monthly show information and links are updated by the 15th of each month!
PLEASE NOTE:
- The reservation form will be active as long as there are seats available.
- Shows are limited to 40 participants.
- There is no cost for admission!
- Once you have submitted your form, you will receive a confirmation email.
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School Field Trips
SCHOOL FIELD TRIP DATES ARE VERY LIMITED THIS YEAR.
FIRST PRIORITY GOES TO SCHOOLS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE PLANETARIUM THROUGH OUR 25/26 BOCES COSER
(Auburn, Cato Meridian, Moravia, Port Byron, Skaneateles).
Scheduling a Field Trip
FOR THE 2025/26 SCHOOL YEAR.
PLEASE CHECK BACK IN EARLY SEPTEMBER FOR THE 2026/27 DATES!
PLEASE NOTE:
- There is NO COST for your visit!
- For best viewing, seating is limited to 40 student seats per show.
- Average time for a field trip is 1 1/2 hours. This includes: approximately 45 minutes in the dome for a show and stellular discussion and a 45 minute follow-up activity.
- For groups larger than 40 students, part of the group will begin in the classroom, while the remainder will begin in the dome. After 45 minutes, we will 'swap locations' and activities. PLEASE NOTE: Classroom seating is limited to 36 seats!
- Visits can begin as early as 8:00am but must be completed by 11:15am (except shows that are booked June 16th-25th when trips can be scheduled anytime between 8:00 am and 2:30pm)
- We can work together to customize your field trip to best meet your curricular needs!
- The address of the planetarium is: 2384 State Rt. 34B, Aurora, NY 13026
Questions? Please contact Heather Snyder at: snyderh@southerncayuga.org
