Welcome to one of the largest planetariums in the United States. Since opening the doors in 1997, more than two million Guests have visited Arizona Science Center's Dorrance Planetarium. Featuring a NanoSeam design, the dome was the world's first of its kind at a science center or museum.
Dorrance Planetarium is generously supported by Dorrance Family Foundation and Richard F. Caris Charitable Trust.
Art 360
The Dorrance Planetarium is more than just a planetarium. It is an immersive experience that has the potential to showcase some of the most impressive artistic images of our time, combined with the riveting sound only heard in our full-dome planetarium. Experience art and music in ways you’ve never imagined!
Art 360 - Reimagining Art in the Dome
Immerse yourself in science and culture as the dome of Dorrance Planetarium comes alive with a 360-degree immersive art and cinema experience. A collaborative experience featuring local artists, music, films, and interactive events, Art 360 brings science to life in one of the most technologically advanced planetariums in the United States. Due to COVID-19 Art 360 events are temporarily suspended.
Art 360 - Lasers And Liquor
Experience our state-of-the-art laser system with 14 mind-blowing special effects at our Lasers & Liquor nights! Sit back, look up and rock out! Listen to music from Queen, Beyoncé, Beastie Boys, and AC/DC while being dazzled by the multicolored laser light show on the Dorrance Planetarium dome. Due to COVID-19, Lasers & Liquor nights are temporarily suspended.
What's Playing?
Click on any of the date tabs below to see what's playing that day.
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
- 11:00 AM
Join Big Bird and Elmo on an unforgettable journey to the Moon and back!
When Elmo’s friend Hu Hu Zhu stops by Sesame Street for a visit, he notices that Sesame Street is a little bit different from his home in China. But when he looks up at the sky, he feels right at home. Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu may live in different cities, but they share the same sky!
With a little help from Big Bird, the two friends learn about the Sun, the Moon, and the Big Dipper, then blast off in an imaginary rocket to the Moon! Along the way, they invite the audience to sing along to songs about space and celebrate the sky that belongs to everyone.
Approximately 30 minutes
Solar Superstorms
- 1:00 PM
Solar Superstorms takes viewers into the tangle of magnetic fields and superhot plasma that vent the Sun's rage in dramatic flares, violent solar tornadoes, and the largest eruptions in the solar system: Coronal Mass Ejections.
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
- 11:00 AM
Join Big Bird and Elmo on an unforgettable journey to the Moon and back!
When Elmo’s friend Hu Hu Zhu stops by Sesame Street for a visit, he notices that Sesame Street is a little bit different from his home in China. But when he looks up at the sky, he feels right at home. Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu may live in different cities, but they share the same sky!
With a little help from Big Bird, the two friends learn about the Sun, the Moon, and the Big Dipper, then blast off in an imaginary rocket to the Moon! Along the way, they invite the audience to sing along to songs about space and celebrate the sky that belongs to everyone.
Approximately 30 minutes
Solar Superstorms
- 1:00 PM
Solar Superstorms takes viewers into the tangle of magnetic fields and superhot plasma that vent the Sun's rage in dramatic flares, violent solar tornadoes, and the largest eruptions in the solar system: Coronal Mass Ejections.
Solar Superstorms
- 1:00 PM
Solar Superstorms takes viewers into the tangle of magnetic fields and superhot plasma that vent the Sun's rage in dramatic flares, violent solar tornadoes, and the largest eruptions in the solar system: Coronal Mass Ejections.
Solar Superstorms
- 1:00 PM
Solar Superstorms takes viewers into the tangle of magnetic fields and superhot plasma that vent the Sun's rage in dramatic flares, violent solar tornadoes, and the largest eruptions in the solar system: Coronal Mass Ejections.
