News

May The 4TH Be With You! Explore the science of STAR WARS at Flandrau

Every year, fans of the STAR WARS movies celebrate the saga’s lore and legends on the fourth day of May – May The Fourth Be With You!  This year Flandrau will host a special event to bring STAR WARS fans together and explore how real science connects to the imaginary worlds of this global pop-culture juggernaut. We’ll have STAR WARS activities (build your own light saber!) and special planetarium shows about real planets that are similar to the worlds visited by Luke Skywalker. So jump into hyperspace and head to Flandrau so that the Fourth will be with you! Saturday, May 4. Only $4 for exhibits and $4 for planetarium shows.

Earth Day 2019

To celebrate Earth Day, Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium welcomes visitors to our special event on Saturday April 20, 2019. We’ll have guided Earth Day activities and a presentation about life in the oceans, plus $5 admission to exhibits and $5 planetarium shows! This year, the theme for Earth Day is “Protect Our Species,” and our new Sharks exhibit showcases this amazing species and their importance for the world’s oceans. Come celebrate the diversity of life on Earth at Flandrau! Saturday, April 20. Special activities 1-4pm.

New Discoveries About Black Holes!

On April 10, 2019, the first results from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) were announced to the public. This announcement revealed the first ever photograph of the “Event Horizon” around the edge of a Black Hole. 

Come learn about this breakthrough science! First experience Flandrau’s awesome planetarium show Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity, then see the new EHT images projected on the planetarium dome and learn about the new discoveries! To engage the public with this milestone in black hole research, Flandrau will offer a limited engagement “Black Holes: EHT Edition” show run from Wednesday, April 10 to Sunday, April 14.

Tucson Festival of Books

Stop by Flandrau during Science City this March 2nd and 3rd for the Tucson Festival of Books! We'll be offering free admission to the Science Center exhibits and $5 planetarium shows, with a special TFOB schedule! 

NOTE: Flandrau’s hours will be different during the Festival – 9:30am to 5:30pm, both Saturday and Sunday. Come join the fun!

The Trouble with Space Junk

What is Space Junk? Find out the what, where, and why about this man-made debris that orbits the Earth in our special event – The Trouble With Space Junk. The event will begin with activities and an “Ask The Scientist” booth, followed by a one-time screening of the planetarium film Space Junk, then a Q&A with a panel of UA experts all about these millions of particles of “junk” that orbit the Earth at dangerous speeds. Special event Sunday, February 10, 1-4pm. Special prices, $5 Flandrau admission, $5 planetarium shows all day!

Moon Music Serenade

Gaze at the moon, hear the music, feel yourself transported: Moon Music Serenade. 

For the total lunar eclipse on Sunday, January 20, 2019, UA musicians will give a free public performance on the UA Mall. Flandrau has teamed up with the UA’s Fred Fox School of Music to bring you an astronomical experience “in concert!” Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have free telescopes on the UA Mall, alongside the UA’s Chamber Winds ensemble, so you’ll see the eclipse as you enjoy the soaring sounds of brass and woodwinds. Plus we’ll have a special moon presentation in the planetarium theater. Bring the whole family to experience Moon Music Serenade on Sunday, January 20, 6-11pm. Free telescope viewing, free concert, free admission to Flandrau, $5 planetarium shows.

“EARTHRISE” Documentary comes to Flandrau!

The iconic Earthrise photograph, taken on Christmas Eve, 1968 by the crew of Apollo 8, was shared all over the world. This single image forever changed the way we see our planet and ourselves. Come discover the story behind this amazing photograph, as told by the Apollo 8 astronauts, in the new award-winning documentary film, “Earthrise.” The film shows in Flandrau’s Eos Planetarium Theater on December 18, 20, 22, and 24.

Board Game Day @ Flandrau

Put down your phone and join the fun! Board games bring families together over the holidays. This holiday season, Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium will host a Board Game Day! We’ll provide tables with board games, special reduced pricing from 10am to 4pm, and have games available for purchase, including two games designed by the lead PI for OSIRIS-REx, Dr. Dante Lauretta – Xtronaut: The Game of Solar System Exploration and Constellations: The Game of Stargazing and the Night Sky.

Holiday Shows are Here!

Bring the whole family to enjoy our enchanting holiday shows in Flandrau’s fulldome planetarium theater. Cherish the traditions of the season in the holiday classic “Season of Light,” and feel your spirits soar in our new festive laser music show “Holiday Magic" featuring favorite songs of the season – a visit to Flandrau is the perfect excursion for family and friends during the holidays!

Asteroid Ahoy!

After two years and more than 1 billion miles, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will arrive at its target: the asteroid Bennu. Guided by the leadership of the University of Arizona, OSIRIS-REx will be the first NASA mission ever to bring back a sample from a distant asteroid. Join us at Flandrau for “Asteroid Ahoy!”  to celebrate the spacecraft’s arrival at Bennu, to learn about this fascinating asteroid mission, and to find out what comes next for OSIRIS-REx! The Asteroid Ahoy! weekend event takes place on Saturday Dec. 1 and Sunday Dec. 2, with interactive asteroid activities, special presentations from UA scientists, and special planetarium shows.

Veteran's Day @ Flandrau

As a token of our appreciation for our Veterans, we're offering a free Planetarium show (with purchase of general admission) to those with a military ID on Sunday, November 11th and Monday, November 12th. We thank you for your service!