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Contact the NJ State Museum
New Jersey Department of State
205 W. State Street
PO Box 530
Trenton, NJ 08625


Tel: (609) 292-6464 (recorded message)

Email: Feedback@sos.state.nj.us
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Planetarium Public Schedule


Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, a native of Montclair, New Jersey, was the second man to stand on the surface of the moon. The visor in his helmet shows a reflection of Astronaut Neil Armstrong (first man on the moon), taking this picture as well as one footpad of the Lunar Module Eagle and the United States flag planted next to it.

Soar through the skies in the Museum's spacious Planetarium, featuring precision projection of more than 6000 stars. The largest planetarium in New Jersey, it seats 150 visitors in specially-designed reclining seats that transport an audience to any astronomical destination.

Now featuring state-of-the-art Full DomeVideo, visitors will feel the sensation of zooming through the Solar System and beyond. This cutting-edge digital technology immerses audiences within images covering the entire 360 degree inner dome.

The Planetarium offers something for everyone; with both traditional sky and laser programs, it is the only planetarium of its kind in New Jersey. Made possible by the generous support of the Prudential Foundation.

General Admission: $7 adult; $5 child (twelve and under)
Groups of 15 or more: $5 per person. Camps and birthday parties welcome. Friends of the NJSM receive $2 off per ticket up to a maximum of four. For additional information, call (609) 292-6464.

Printable Coupon: $1 off all Public Planetarium shows!

May 5 — June 30, 2013

Saturday and Sunday

12:00 noon - One World, One Sky
Big Bird's adventure begins on Sesame Street when Elmo's friend, Hu Hu Zhu, visits from China. Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu take viewers on an exciting discovery of the sun, moon and stars. They also learn about the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) and the North Star (Polaris). Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu then take an imaginary trip to the Moon where they learn that the Moon is a very different place from the Earth.

When they imagine themselves back on Earth, they celebrate the idea that even though they live in two different countries, they still share the same sky. They even pick the North Star as their friendship star to always remind them of their shared joy of looking up at the sky together.

Made possible by the Sesame Street Workshop and the National Science Foundation. Recommended for ages 3-6 with adults.
View Trailer
1:00 pm - To Space and Back (NEW)
Join us as we take audiences on an incredible journey from the far reaches of our known universe to our own planet. It is an extraordinary story of human ingenuity and incredible engineering, describing how the technology that transports us through space is paving the way for the devices and applications (apps) we use every day. Discover how space exploration is shaping your world in this new fully immersive show.

Suitable for general audiences
View Trailer
2:00 pm - Earth, Moon & Sun
Explore the relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun with the help of an amusing character Coyote (adapted from Native American oral traditions), who has many misconceptions about our home planet and its most familiar neighbors.

How do the Earth, Moon and Sun work together as a system, and what is the myth and science behind it? Why does the Sun rise and set? Many other commonly asked questions will be answered.

Suitable for general audiences.
View Trailer
3:00 pm - To Space and Back (NEW)
Join us as we take audiences on an incredible journey from the far reaches of our known universe to our own planet. It is an extraordinary story of human ingenuity and incredible engineering, describing how the technology that transports us through space is paving the way for the devices and applications (apps) we use every day. Discover how space exploration is shaping your world in this new fully immersive show.

Suitable for general audiences
View Trailer

June 21, 2013

Family Star-Gazing


Saturn in natural color
Courtesy of NASA
Simpson Observatory, Washington Crossing State Park, NJ
8:00 pm, FREE

Join the NJSM Planetarium staff along with the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton (AAAP) on Friday, June 21 at 8 pm for an evening of sky observing. On the first day of summer, join us as we view craters on the moon and the rings of Saturn through the AAAP computerized telescopes.

The AAAP and the Museum staff will be there to assist and answer all astronomy related questions. Please visit the AAAP web site for a downloadable map and directions.

Summer 2013

July 5 – September 1, 2013

Tuesday through Friday

10:00 am - One World, One Sky
11:00 am - STARS!
1:00 pm - To Space and Back

Saturday and Sunday

1:00 pm - One World, One Sky
2:00 pm - STARS!
3:00 pm - To Space and Back


Shows and times are subject to change.