Centennial Celebrations of Planetariums

Germany's Groundbreaking Jena Planetarium of 1924

We are celebrating the impact of planetariums and astronomy with a 10-month series of live talks showcasing the evolution of planetariums from across the globe starting Friday, September 8, 6 p.m., at Longway Planetarium. Although the start of the Centennial Celebration of Planetariums is officially marked by the first public night sky lecture using an optical-mechanical projector, planetariums have been used in varying fashions since the time of the Greeks. In this prelude to the Centennial Celebration you’ll learn about the origins of the planetariums ranging from tents with pinholes to the Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium in The Netherlands - the first working orrery to use Kepler and Newton's models of planetary motion.

Out of County Visitors

$8 adults, $6 seniors 60+, and $6 youth ages 2-11
Children 1 and younger: Free
Combo Tickets: Add admission to Sloan Museum and SAVE!
$17 Adults, $12 Senior, and $10 Youth 2-11

Genesee County Residents

All Longway Planetarium shows are 50% off for Genesee County residents:
$4 adults, $3 seniors 60+, and $3 youth ages 2-11
When you arrive, please present your driver’s license or ID with your address on it to confirm your residency. Longway Planetarium shows are funded in part by the Genesee County Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment Millage. Your tax dollars are at work.

Eise Eisinga Planetarium - The Netherlands

The First Planetarium of 1781 | Eise Eisinga

Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Longway Planetarium, 1310 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503

Although the start of the Centennial Celebration of Planetariums is officially marked by the first public night sky lecture using an optical-mechanical projector, planetariums have been used in varying fashions since the time of the Greeks. In this prelude to the Centennial Celebration you’ll learn about the origins of the planetariums ranging from tents with pinholes to the Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium in The Netherlands - the first working orrery to use Kepler and Newton's models of planetary motion.