Posted on Friday, January 23, 2026
The Westminster College Planetarium invites the community to explore the wonders of the universe this spring with three fulldome planetarium shows designed for audiences of all ages.
“The Cosmic Recipe,” 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, is inspired by astronomer Carl Sagan’s famous quote, “If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” The show explores how the Big Bang and stars created the elements that make up the world around us. Audiences will learn how everyday materials—from the calcium in our teeth to the silicon in smartphones and the carbon in apple pies—originated in the cosmos. “The Cosmic Recipe” is recommended for grades 1 and up or ages 5 and older.
“From Earth to the Universe” will be shown at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, and Friday, Feb. 27. The program traces humanity’s long quest to understand the night sky, from ancient myths and early Greek astronomers to modern telescopes and space exploration. The show is recommended for grades 3 and up or ages 7 and older.
The season concludes with “Seeing: A Photon’s Journey” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, and Friday, March 27. Funded by a grant from ZEISS and narrated by astronomer and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson, the show follows a single photon from a distant star to the human eye. The program explores connections between astrophysics, biology and the brain and is recommended for grades 5 and up or ages 10 and older.
All shows take place in Room 116 of the Hoyt Science Center on the Westminster College campus.
Admission is free, but reservations are required. To register or to learn more, visit www.westminster.edu/planetarium.
The Westminster College Planetarium provides immersive educational experiences that connect audiences with astronomy, physics and the beauty of the universe through state-of-the-art fulldome presentations.
