Hayden Planetarium Space Theater

R. Mickens/© AMNH
At the heart of the Rose Center for Earth and Space is an 87-foot-diameter sphere that appears to float inside a glass cube.

Its upper half constitutes the Hayden Planetarium, which opened in 2000 along with the Rose Center for Earth and Space. It remains an enduring beacon of astrophysical education, as was its predecessor, which opened in 1935.

The 429-seat Space Theater, which features a custom-made Zeiss Mark IX Star Projector and a Digital Dome Projection System to display a hyperrealistic view of the planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, uses a scientifically accurate 3D map of the observable universe based on millions of astronomical observations.

Known as the Digital Universe Atlas, this map of the cosmos is maintained by a team of Museum scientists and visualization experts in collaboration with colleagues from organizations such as NASA. The Digital Universe Atlas also provides the foundation for the Museum’s Space Shows, which are screened in the Space Theater.  

The theater is wheelchair accessible. Captioning devices and audio description devices are available. Space Show translations are available in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.

Worlds Beyond Earth

Colored lines in different patterns are used to depict Earth's protective magnetic field.
A still from Worlds Beyond Earth that depicts our planet’s protective magnetic field, which is generated by Earth’s hot, dynamic core.
© AMNH

Worlds Beyond Earth takes viewers on an exhilarating expedition through the solar system, from our own blue planet to far beyond the habitable zone.

Capacity is limited to maintain health and safety.

Length: 25 minutes

Showtimes: 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, and 4:30 pm

 

Reserve Tickets »

Select the number of tickets, and date/time for Museum entry, and you will be then able to add Worlds Beyond Earth space show, and/or additional exhibitions before checkout.

Captioning devices and audio description devices are available. Please ask a staff member.