"🌌Planetarium-is a theater that projects simulated images, usually of the night sky, onto a dome.
The Mesa Community College (MCC) Planetarium can accommodate up to 52 people to watch its presentations.
💺Seats in the back tend to be the best.
🙃You will be looking up the whole time to watch the show on the dome ceiling/screen.
🗓️They host different shows throughout the year.
They welcome school groups, have astronomy nights and summer laser shows. They have explanations of each of these programs on their website. They also have a summary for each of the films that they show.
🎟️You do need a ticket or an RSVP to attend. You would do this on their website for the date you wish to attend.
Some shows are free and others range in price up to about $12 per person for general admission.
⌚You also need to be there at least 15 minutes prior to each scheduled show to line up outside and then to get settled into your seats.
We weren’t sure which doors led into the planetarium because even though the white building clearly says “Planetarium” on it, it looks like it is part of the office-type building behind it. If you are facing the Planetarium, the doors will be just to the right, around the side wall. The 2 doors have a sign: PS 115 Planetarium.
🌑Once you are inside and the lights go down, you are asked not to leave your seat because it is very dark. There is also no late entry to a show. Many of the shows are listed for all ages, but I am not sure what you would do if you have a crying child and would want to step-out, as it is so dark and they ask you to stay seated.
🚫No outside food or drink is allowed in the MCC Planetarium. No flash photography or the use of cellphone flashlights is allowed during the planetarium show.
✨😀We were fortunate to be able to go to one of the free presentations. The show we saw was about 20-25 minutes long and afterward, guests have a question-and-answer time with the planetarium staff.
It was about an hour in total, not counting getting there 15 minutes early.
💵To be completely honest, I am very frugal and have limited entertainment funds. Personally I would recommend trying to come to one of the free events before choosing one of the paid events, unless you can afford it.
Paid tickets are general admission and the same price for kids and adults, between about $6-$12 each, depending on the show.
There are no assigned seats.
The films are about 20-45 minutes long. The total amount of any of the shows is about an hour.
Depending on where you are driving from, a show that is over in an hour will seem really quick.
🚗Parking is free.
🤗🤩I am not trying to deter anybody from coming and experiencing the MCC Planetarium.
🌞🌚I am also not saying that it is not worth paying for.
If you love science/space/ astronomy, this was a fun activity. 😀
🌈I haven’t been to one of the summer laser shows, but I imagine that the films with the added popular music would be enjoyable as well.👨‍🔬👨🏽‍🔬👩🏼‍🔬The staff are very knowledgeable.
Check out their schedule on the MCC website."

AZ Kimba

"Went with my daughter's preschool class and loved it! They played a magic treehouse program, but the best part was Mr. James showing the kids the constellations-he did a great job presenting to this age group, holding their attention, and keeping it fun. Great experience."

Christine Pearson

"All summer long, the MCC Planetarium is hosting Laser Light Shows! There are concerts and fun mythical fables!

So far, this Local Guide has attended "Orion the Hunter [and Artemis]" which is an animated laser show featuring a wise owl named Aesop, and his sidekick "Socrates the mouse". It recounts the Greek mythos of olden times. As a pleasant surprise, James, our host, treated us to a "double feature" with the REAL Orion Spacecraft, the Artemis CREWED MISSIONS to the Moon [upcoming], and all atop the mighty SLS (Space Launch System) boosters. This is a NASA project in collab with other agencies and commercial interests.

James Enos is a fount of knowledge and wisdom, with an astrophysics degree to prove it! James can explain practically anything about "how the Universe works" and he can program the Planetarium display to demonstrate, such as the Earth's orbit around the Sun, the Sun's growth into a Red Giant, or the Moon or other planets in our Solar System, and beyond to the 88 great constellations of our night sky!

Anyway, it was a wonderful segue from the fanciful Greek myths into "Science Fact". Thank you James, for the brand-new Laser Shows, and we also enjoyed the Elton John "Rocket Man" concert on this very evening. This reviewer will surely be back for more!"

Robert Earl