Safety Precautions

Thank you for helping us create the safest possible environment for our community

We have been working hard to prepare the planetarium for your arrival and we can assure you that you will have a safe and fun experience when you visit. However, it will feel different from your past visits. We are not “going back to normal,” but are adapting with science-driven practices that will help keep our community safe. Click here to learn more about these safety precautions.

Following CDC, state and local authorities’ guidelines, these are some of the changes you can expect:

1. Wear your mask. Because Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium serve many children who are unable to be vaccinated, and out of an abundance of caution for our staff and visitors, we will require that all visitors continue to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

2. Buy tickets in advance. Tickets are on sale now! Limited tickets are available per showtime to ensure social distancing in the planetarium theater. Online ticket reservation helps us provide touchless entry; therefore, online transaction fees are waived. You can still pay with cash in person, but ticket times may sell out.

3. Stay safe. Hand sanitizer will be available upon entry and throughout the space. When you arrive, please be ready to present your receipt on your mobile device or print your ticket. Staff will request your email address for contact tracing purposes. If you are not feeling well, please stay home and visit us when you’re feeling better.

4. Our robust cleaning practices have leveled up! Longway Planetarium will be disinfected after each show. At Longway Planetarium, we are installing a UV filtration in our HVAC systems and adding filtration to the Mars room and back offices.

5. Gift shop. The gift shop is open Wednesday through Sunday. Take science and history home with you with learning toys and memorabilia from our gift shops.

6. Virtual learning continues. If you are not ready to return to the planetarium yet, we completely understand and look forward to welcoming you when you feel comfortable returning. In the meantime, join us for First Fridays and Second Saturday Trivia Nights on Facebook Live.