Welcome to Alaska's largest planetarium
Help us Reach for the Stars
- Juneau's planetarium is part of the Juneau School District and has been run by volunteers for over 20 years. Our presentations and events reflect the interest and knowledge of our volunteers.
- We offer free astronomy education for the public, school classes and community groups.
The planetarium is a unique community resource
The planetarium projector allows us to model the sky even when the weather is miserable! We show 'The Stars Tonight' at almost all presentations at the planetarium showing how Juneau's night sky would look if it were clear. Click here to learn more about our starball.
The planetarium has been run by volunteers with knowledge of and enthusiasm about astronomy. This is reflected in the planetarium's diverse offerings (click to learn more).
The Sands of Time
Tuesday, November 27th, 7 to 8 pm
The Sands of Time
Tuesday, November 27th, 7 to 8 pm
- First there will be a starball show followed by a presentation about Time
- Two views of time will be discussed: Newton's view that it is absolute, the same everywhere, and Einstein's view that it is relative, different for each observer. Science experiments support Einstein.
- Learn about time from the perspective of astronomy and physics.
- Find out if time can go backwards.
- Learn why time is considered to be granular.
- Presenter Steve Kocsis is a planetarium board member and has taught astronomy at UAS.
- Time topic designed for adults, but anyone may attend.
Friends of the Marie Drake Planetarium (FOMDP)
The Friends of the Marie Drake Planetarium
a 501(c)(3) was formed in 2014 to support the planetarium and
astronomy education in Juneau. We are fundraising for a new digital projector which will cost at least $35,000. This powerful tool will enable us to offer more diverse astronomy presentations.
Wish List
- We need comfortable chairs. Please bring to a show or call for pick up.
- We need volunteer to do children's programming.
- We need volunteer to do hands on programming e.g. hands on astronomy demonstration or astronomy art project.
- We need fundraising assistance
- Grant writing
- Organizing a fundraising event such as giving a powerpoint travelogue or organizing a garage sale.
Contact Us
- ideas for planetarium shows and events
- constructive suggestions for improvement
- want to volunteer or make a donation
- questions
- fundraising and grant suggestions
- want to request a free astronomy presentation for your school group or community group. We will try to find a volunteer at a mutually agreeable time. Please let us know topic, number of attendees and ages/grades of attendees.
- Clark Branch, 723-8044
- Rosemary Walling, 723-0692
- Steve Kocsis, 500-2941
- Cristina Della Rosa, 500-2942