Planetarium Programs

Since 1960, the Treworgy Planetarium has been a place of learning about the heavens for kids of all ages. Planetarium visits complement any Mystic Seaport tour. For thousands of years, navigators used the heavenly bodies to determine their ships’ positions at sea. Our Planetarium programs illustrate the night sky for students, while providing an in-depth look at navigation and astronomy. In addition to the topics listed below, the Planetarium staff is pleased to create a customized program for your class to support your curriculum or interests. We also tailor programs to the needs of Scout groups. To discuss program content possibilities, please call 860.572.5302, ext. 5151, or email planetarium@mysticseaport.org.

Zoo in the Sky

Using stories of the animals of the night sky, we take you on a journey among the stars under the planetarium dome. Please note that this program is designed for grades Pre-K–3.

Sun, Stars, Planets

Unearth the beauty of science as it helps us understand the stars and solar system. Why doesn’t Earth fall into the sun or the moon into Earth?

Stars and Navigation by the Great Explorers

Retrace a historic voyage by using stars to find your location and track your course. Become familiar with early tools and methods of navigation as recorded in historic logs
and journals.

Finding Our Way by the Sun and Stars

Introduce the ancient art of celestial navigation to your class. Students learn how to determine direction, latitude and longitude by the position of the sun and stars.

Stars of a Voyage to Freedom (Amistad)

Experience the changes in the night sky as seen by the Amistad Africans on their return trip to Sierra Leone. Using celestial navigation, students discover how latitude can be determined by using key stars and constellations.

Stars and Constellations of the Current Season’s Sky

Discover the beauty of the dark night sky that has inspired poets and guided mariners. Learn how to find the principal stars and constellations as well as a story or two about them.

Atmospheric Phenomena

Before weather forecasts were available online, one had to learn the art of reading signs in the sky and on the barometer. Learn some of the basic cloud types and other atmospheric phenomena that can help you tell what weather may be coming.