William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College

06/04/2026

There is a chance to see the northern lights tonight. Keep looking up!

The current forecast calls for combined CME arrival around mid-afternoon EDT of June 4, with up to G3 levels possible afterwards. CME passage would likely continue into the evening and possibly overnight hours of June 5. Stay aware at spaceweather.gov

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

Join us every Friday at 7pm for a tour of our night sky.

🗓 planetarium.parkland.edu
🎟 tickets.parkland.edu

A live‑narrated tour of the wonders of tonight's sky, accompanied by some of the legendary stories of the ancient sky. Find out what constellations and planets are visible tonight and how to find them. This show is updated seasonally and is intended for all ages.

05/22/2026

Let's explore the night sky from our own backyards!
Through the use of storytelling, poetry, and songs, children are encouraged to participate in the show while learning about the seasons, Ursa Major, planets, meteors, and the Moon. Narrated by Fred Penner.

05/20/2026

Follow Niyah, an imaginative Chicago pr***en, on a visually stunning Afrofuturist journey through the multiverse!

🗓 planetarium.parkland.edu
🎟 tickets.parkland.edu
If there are countless other universes out there, where does Niyah fit in? What about you? Find out what shape your shadow matter might take and get inspired to dream up multiverse theories of your own. Produced by the Adler Planetarium, and licensed thanks to support from the Friends of the Staerkel Planetarium.

05/15/2026

Let's explore the night sky from our own backyards!
🗓 planetarium.parkland.edu
🎟 tickets.parkland.edu

Through the use of storytelling, poetry, and songs, children are encouraged to participate in the show while learning about the seasons, Ursa Major, planets, meteors, and the Moon. Narrated by Fred Penner.

05/13/2026

Spend Summer at the Planetarium!
🗓 planetarium.parkland.edu
🎟 tickets.parkland.edu

Follow Niyah, an imaginative Chicago pr***en, on a visually stunning Afrofuturist journey through the multiverse! If there are countless other universes out there, where does Niyah fit in? What about you? Find out what shape your shadow matter might take and get inspired to dream up multiverse theories of your own. Produced by the Adler Planetarium, and licensed thanks to support from the Friends of the Staerkel Planetarium.

05/08/2026

Apparently, Friday is purple space-cat shirt day!

05/08/2026

Lights up, sound down!
Sensory-friendly shows have a relaxed atmosphere where patrons can come, go, and move around as needed.

🗓 planetarium.parkland.edu
🎟 tickets.parkland.edu

"One World One Sky" - 10:30am
Explore the night sky with our friends from Sesame StreetTM. Join Big Bird, Elmo, and Hu Hu Zhu as they take an imaginary trip to the Moon. See how the Moon is different from the Earth and learn how to find the Big Dipper and North Star from your backyard.

"Niyah and the Multiverse" - 11:30am
Follow Niyah, an imaginative Chicago pr***en, on a visually stunning Afrofuturist journey through the multiverse! Find out what shape your shadow matter might take and get inspired to dream up multiverse theories of your own. Produced by the Adler Planetarium, and licensed thanks to support from the Friends of the Staerkel Planetarium.