Michael and Kimthanh Lê PlanetariumReserve the Planetarium
Reserve the Planetarium
Contact:
PHONE: 757-683-3865
Planetarium Email Field Trip Request FormThe planetarium is a great option for school and summer camp groups. Shows can be presented on a variety of science topics and aimed at a wide range of age groups. These shows generally consist of a video presentation on the topic and a question and answer session with the presenter. Shows may also include a live, full-dome presentation on the motions of the night sky, constellations, planets, galaxies, etc...
Prices for some reservations are given below. If you don't see your type of reservation on the list, or if you have any questions, please feel free to email us.
Price List
Educational & Non-Profit
Welcome pre-K - 12 Schools, home schools, scout programs, and more! Our planetarium shows, and the outreach activities we offer, are special and so are we. Why? Because we are passionate about outreach & education, and we bring an enthusiasm for science and learning that is unmatched in the community!
Our planetarium shows are led by a staff member and incoroprate current topics in astronomy, an overview of the night sky for that time of year, and can cover some of Virginia's science SOLs for your grade. The whole show lasts approximately 60-75 minutes and can include a full-dome movie of your choice. See the list below for all movies available. Each movie is approximately 25 minutes.
- New pricing model effective August 16, 2023 - Pricing is now per hour instead of per person
- Flat fee of $175 per show. Bring up to 116 people for one price!
- In-person presentations are approximately 60-75 minutes.
- Full-dome movies available.
- Tuesday and Thursday mornings & early-afternoons available during the week. Potential for weeknights and weekends.
Presentations: In-person presentations last about 60-75 minutes. They include a featured full-dome movie from our list below, a tour of the night sky, can cover grade level SOLS, and include a Q&A segment.
Group Size: Our planetarium can seat 116 people plus 5 more ADA, wheelchair accessible locations.
Fees & Payment: Flat fee of $175 per show. Bring up to 116 people for one price! Admission must be paid in full on, or before, the day of the field. We accept cash, credit card, and checks (made out to 'Old Dominion Univeristy'). No deposit is required to reserve an in-person field trip.
Availability & Schedule: Throughout ODU's academic year (late August - early May), Tuesday and Thursday mornings are available for for field trips. We have the potential for weeknights and weekends based on staff availability.
To Reserve a Field Trip: Please reserve at least 1-2 months in advance to ensure preferred date and seating availability. Please use the reservation form found here and allow 1-2 business days for a response.
Confirmations: A confirmation, invoice, general infomation sheet, and campus map will be emailed when your reservation is placed on our calendar.
Parking & Arrival: Groups should arrive at the Planetarium building at least 5-10 minutes beofre the start of the show to check in and pay for admission. Please allow plenty of time for drop off and/or parking.
In-Person Field Trip Etiquette - Do's and Dont's:
- Chaperones: At all times, please supervise all students assigned to you and make sure they observe field trip rules while at the Planetarium and on a college campus.
- Please don't use your cell phone or camera (for still or video recording) inside the Planetarium while the show is in progress.
- Please don't wear shoes with flashing lights. These distract from the presentation.
- Please do keep quiet. There are classrooms adjacent to the Planetarium. We ask that all students keep their voices down while they wait to enter, and after they exit, the Planetarium.
Private Event
Looking for a place for a book club meeting? Or a retirement party? The planetarium offers a unique space for your event.
- $300 per hour
- Includes use of the planetarium dome for star gazing or movies
- Full A/V capabilities
- Lighting
- Laser light shows available
- No food or drink allowed in the planetarium. Potential use of our lobby for food and drink.
Telescopes
![Transit of mercury Transit of mercury](/life/culture/discovery/le-planetarium/reservations/_jcr_content/par/tabs/tabpanel/float/image.img.520.jpg/1573776517292.jpg)
- $175 per hour.
- Includes an astronomer to control the telescope and talk about the night sky.
- Solar filtered telescopes available for observing the Sun.
- No fees for set up/break down times. Pay only for time spent observing.
- Travel cost of $0.50 per mile for distances over 25 miles from ODU's campus.
- We are the mercy of the weather. If we must cancel because the weather does not cooperate (clouds or rain), you will not be charged for the reservation.