We decided to have an adventure in Chapel Hill this past weekend, so we headed over to the Morehead Planetarium to watch a space program on the fulldome movie screen. After your show, planetarium staff will take you through a look at the constellations in the night sky and perform a live science demonstration. You also have about an hour to explore the space and science exhibits throughout the center. Morehead planetarium is located on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, so you can explore the University and nearby shops on Franklin Street after your visit!
Planetarium Show
Morehead Planetarium has many different shows to choose from, all listed on their calendar. For more in-depth descriptions you can read more about each show here. The fulldome theater is unlike any typical movie theater you may have experienced before. The movie is projected on a 360 degree dome located above your head. You will be completely reclined back in your chair in order to see the show all around you.
Magic Treehouse Space Adventure
We attended the Magic Treehouse Space Adventure program that is designed for younger children. My 4 and 6 year old have recently been loving the book series, so these were familiar characters. Jack and Annie from the Magic Treehouse books lead you on an adventure to answer your questions about space. You will interview astronauts to learn what it’s like in zero gravity, discuss what it would be like to fly past the sun, and learn why our Earth is such a special place.
We were excited to see a show targeted towards younger children and their families, and those in the audience reflected that. We didn’t feel too bad if the kids made some noise since there were other kids in there doing the same. Unfortunately, the show itself wasn’t as attention-grabbing as I expected it to be. It was a little slow in some parts, so my 4 and 6 year old got a little antsy towards the end. Funny enough, my 3 year old did the best sitting still in the theater! He was the only one who didn’t get his foot stuck in the folding auditorium chairs! 🤣
Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis
Later, we also attended the Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis show that is targeted to those over the age of 8. I would agree with this age recommendation since you are getting a firsthand view of the destruction caused by these natural disasters. My 4 year old got a little scared, especially since the video stated that they were showing us a reenactment of a real earthquake that killed thousands of people.
Pro Parent Planetarium tip: Don’t let your kid wear light up shoes to the planetarium. The screen is pretty dim so the dome must be completely dark with no outside light. If you’re like us and have two kids with blindingly bright flashing lights on their shoes, be sure to take their shoes off during the show and place them safely out of the way!
Pro parent planetarium tip
Science Demonstration
Your admission ticket gives you a 2 hour time block at the planetarium. The show only takes about 30 minutes, so you have the rest of your time to explore the exhibits and watch a science demonstration!
The demonstration we saw was called “Science LIVE! Science Showtime”, which is geared towards the youngest children. The instructor does a quick overview of some of the most exciting experiments to get young learners curious about exploring science. The show focused on “fire and ice” and it was so engaging and informative! We started with some liquid nitrogen, which is an extremely cold liquid (−320 °F to be exact)! We deflated and re-inflated a balloon, froze and cracked some plastic balls, and just stared mesmerizingly at the steam as the liquid boiled at room temperature.
After the ice, we moved on to the fire! The scientist talked a lot about safety and stressed that this was not a good idea to try at home. As a part of the demonstration, he lit various elements on fire that burn at different colors. He also created a fire tornado by spinning a flame in a basket! He was very welcoming and answered all of the questions and comments from the audience with a great amount of patience! You definitely don’t want to miss this part of the planetarium science center!
Interactive Science Exhibits
After the science demonstration we took our time exploring the exhibits. There’s a lot of information packed into a small space. We learned about coastal erosion, space exploration, different types of fungus, and even some medical technology. The exhibits are spread out on two different floors and there is an elevator for accessibility.
search for fungus using blacklights 
learn about how to combat malaria 
you control the screen in cosmic quest 
see how coastline efforts can prevent erosion 
learn about the first space missions
Due to COVID the full gift shop is closed, but on your way out there are some items available for purchase. We saw a few STEM toys and science games, but we were about able to bypass this area pretty easily! But heads up if you have a kid that will want to buy something!
Admission
Your planetarium ticket covers the cost of the movie, science demonstration, and exhibits, so all you need to do is look at the calendar and pick which show you want to attend. Tickets cost $11.95 per adult and $9.95 per child 3-12 years old. Kids 2 and under are free, and there are veteran and senior discounts available.
For a family of 5, our tickets for one show were going to cost almost $57. We looked at the annual membership options and saw that a family membership would only cost $70 for unlimited shows. For only a few dollars more we went with the membership and plan on attending as many shows as we can this year!
Pandemic Policies
Chapel Hill as a whole is pretty strict on their COVID-19 guidelines. Masks are required in public places, and the planetarium was no exception. Kids age 2 and up are required to wear masks the whole time they are at the planetarium. I was worried about this with my 3 year old, but luckily he did pretty well.
The planetarium is only booking a fraction of their normal capacity, so there is plenty of room to space out in the theater. They also break you into groups so one group can attend the science demonstration and another can explore the exhibits. This prevents crowds from forming and gives you plenty of space to socially distance.
Check out our Raleigh Tot Spot map for more ideas of parks and places to visit in Chapel Hill!