Planets of Rock

About

The Rocky Planets

Explore the terrestrial planets of our Solar System in Planets of Rock!

Join us for an out-of-this-world look at the rocky planets in our Solar System – Mercury, Venus, and Mars. From the earliest ground-based observations to our most recent robotic explorers, discover how knowledge of these worlds shapes our understanding of the Solar System and guides our search for life beyond Earth.

Average Show Length: 45 minutes (Live Performance)

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NOT SHOWING

This live show includes:

  • General observational astronomy
  • Observing Mercury, Venus, and Mars from Earth
  • Phenomena, including planetary transits
  • Notable missions to the terrestrial planets
  • Rocky exoplanets outside our Solar System
  • And more!

 

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Show Overview:

Planets of Rock, the McDonnell Planetarium’s newest live star show, is an out-of-this-world look at the rocky planets in our Solar System – Mercury, Venus, and Mars.

“Our small, rocky neighbors tend to get overshadowed by the giants like Saturn, but these worlds play a huge role in our understanding of space,” says Will Snyder, Manager of the McDonnell Planetarium. “Mercury, Venus, and Mars all provide a treasure trove of observable phenomena from our own backyards, and our modern exploration of these planets now helps to guide our search for life beyond our Solar System.”

In producing this new show, the McDonnell Planetarium team hopes to highlight research happening in St. Louis. Snyder says, “we are lucky to have an internationally recognized Earth and Planetary Science department at Washington University. It is so cool to know that St. Louis helped to send rovers to Mars, and probes to Mercury and Venus!”

This 45-minute live star show will be offered daily at the McDonnell Planetarium. From the earliest ground-based observations to our most recent robotic explorers, join us to discover how knowledge of these worlds shapes our understanding of the Solar System and guides our search for life beyond Earth.

UPCOMING SHOWS

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Planetary Science in St. Louis

St. Louis is home to one of the world’s leading planetary science departments at Washington University.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is part of the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences at Washington University. Space science is the province of multiple disciplines. Understanding the formation and evolution of the solar system, the galaxy, or the universe is equally the task of the cosmochemist who measures isotopic effects in meteorites, the astronomer who observes planetary atmospheres or interstellar dust, and the astrophysicist who studies high energy emissions and gravitational effects of neutron star mergers.

As we look to the future, space science is central to humanity’s aspiration for knowledge as we seek to explore and comprehend our surroundings and our beginnings.

Learn more about the active research happening in St. Louis at the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences and the Earth and Planetary Department at Washington University.

 

Star Show Pricing

This is a paid experience.

Price
Members FREE*
Adults (ages 13-59) $6
Children (ages 2-12) $5
Seniors (ages 60+) $5
Military $4

Groups (10 or more): $5 for school groups, $5 for all other groups

Group Visit Information

Location

The Planetarium Entrance in Forest Park is currently closed. Please park and enter at 5050 Oakland Avenue.

Star Shows take place in the Star Bay, the 2nd floor, of the Planetarium. Access is available through the stairs or elevator from the main Planetarium lobby.

Due to the dark nature of the planetarium, late admittance or reentry is not permitted. Please arrive on time for your Star Show.

Membership

Members stargaze for free.

Love the Planetarium? Become a Science Center member and watch star shows for free with every visit, as well as get a full year of additional members-only benefits.

Plus, members help support the Science Center and our mission to make science learning open to everyone.

Become a Member

Accessibility

Elevators and ramps serve all public areas of the McDonnell Planetarium.

Planetarium Star Shows rely heavily on live, spoken narration. Sign language interpreters or Communication Access Realtime Transcription (CART) can be provided with advanced notice. Please contact the reservations department to request accommodation prior to scheduling your visit.

We also offer hearing assist devices for Planetarium Star Shows. When ordering tickets, please let your reservationist know you are interested in a hearing assist device, or speak with a Planetarium team member before your program begins.

More About Accessibility