Planetarium Theater

The Virginia Living Museum is designed to show the relationship between people and the natural world, especially as it relates to the environment of Virginia. In the planetarium theater, we extend and enhance this idea, showing how Virginia is only a small part of the Earth, and how the Earth and the people living on it relate to the environment of the universe around them.

The planetarium is currently available for group bookings and limited public programming. Check the calendar section for the current schedule.

Our planetarium theater consists of a 30' projection dome and a Spitz A3P Planetarium instrument.  The theater seats 71.  The seats are designed to provide a full view of the sky without neck strain.  The dome does not open, as is common to observatories.  There are two control areas: Main Control in the rear and Remote Control in front of the A3P. 

We are currently offering limited public programming while we explore renovation options for the planetarium. Click here for scheduled shows. We continue to offer astronomy-based school programs. Click here for more information.

As we continue to explore new options for our theater, evening programming is also limited, and usually connected to special events. Click here for upcoming special events at the museum.

The planetarium is the device that projects the stars during the show. It can also project small images of the Sun, Moon and the planets. It is able to project the sky as seen from anywhere on the Earth, at any time, past, present or future. Other images are produced using 12 individual slide projectors, 2 banks of panorama projectors and 6 all-sky projectors. We have a wide variety of special effect projectors as well. Video is displayed using videodisc, videotape and/or DVD through a large screen projection system. We cannot show IMAX  films. That requires a different type of dome installation and a large format film projector.

Sorry, but no eating, drinking or smoking is permitted in theater at any time.  This helps us keep people food away from our animals and provides a clean environment for all of our shows.

Sorry, but videotaping and the taking of flash pictures is prohibited at all times due to possible copyright infringement. Plus, flash pictures will result only in a picture of a white dome and will disturb other patrons.

Yes!  Many children enjoy the planetarium theater. However, for the comfort of our other patrons, children under the age of 3 are permitted only in the 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. shows. We recommend that children who become noisy or disruptive during the show be taken out of the theater. Please place strollers against the wall, away from seats and aisles. For their own safety, children must remain in seats during the show. All aisles should be kept clear in case of emergency. Planetarium staff will be moving throughout the theater during the show - please be aware of your feet!

Well, yes and no. Due to the fragile nature of the equipment and the high price of replacement, patrons are not permitted to touch the planetarium instrument or its controls. However, many of our volunteers are trained in show operation and run the theater frequently! For more information on volunteering at the Virginia Living Museum, please visit out Volunteer page by clicking here.

Accommodations are often available for the hearing and visually impaired. Planetarium staff should be alerted as soon as possible if these materials are needed.