Overview
Most families have never heard of the CCNY Planetarium — and that's exactly what makes it worth knowing about. Tucked in the basement of City College of New York's Marshak Science Building in Hamilton Heights, it offers free public shows run by the college's own faculty and staff. It is, genuinely, one of New York City's best-kept STEM secrets.
The show takes you somewhere
The CCNY Planetarium runs live, narrated space tours using OpenSpace, a real-time digital universe simulator. A show might open with a flyover of the Hamilton Heights neighborhood — something kids immediately recognize — then travel out to the Moon, Mars, and eventually leave the solar system to visit newly discovered exoplanet systems or intergalactic space. Past show topics have included Voyage to the Center of the Milky Way, Space Weather, and Next Stop Mars! These aren't prerecorded films. They're live tours, which means the experience can flex toward what the audience is curious about.
The dome is 58 seats and 30 feet in diameter, with both the original 1973 Spitz opto-mechanical projector and a homebuilt digital projection system. A real planetarium — not a classroom with space content projected on the ceiling.
What to know before you go
Shows run Wednesday afternoons, with start times generally between 3 and 4pm. Each runs about 45 minutes. Walk-ins are welcome, but reserving in advance is strongly encouraged — the room seats 58 and ticket holders are seated first. There is no late seating, so plan to arrive on time. Tickets typically become available about a week before each show date. Check the current schedule and reserve at ccnyplanetarium.org, or reach out to Professor James Hedberg at planetarium@ccny.cuny.edu.
Who It's For
A strong fit for the child who has ever looked up and wanted to know what's actually out there. The live format makes it especially good for kids who ask a lot of questions — there's room for the show to go where curiosity leads. It's also a natural introduction to astronomy for families who want something that feels genuinely scientific without being overwhelming.
Cost & Information
- Admission: Free
- Show length: ~45 minutes
- Schedule: Wednesday afternoons; check ccnyplanetarium.org for current times
- Reservations: Strongly recommended; ticket holders seated first. No late seating.
More show dates coming — follow @ccnyplanetarium on Instagram for reminders and schedule updates.