Scobee Planetarium & Scalan Observatory
Since 1961, two million San Antonio school children and community members have learned about stars, planets, black holes and distant galaxies at the Scobee Planetarium. With the extensive renovation completed in 2014, the Scobee Planetarium now offers a more dynamic experience to even more visitors. Planetarium renovations include 100 individual reclined seats, a new light and sound system and the most advanced digital projection system.
The Scobee Planetarium offers Friday night public presentations at 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. The 6:30 p.m. show is family-friendly, the 8:00 p.m. show is a live presentation of “The Sky Tonight,” and at 9:30 p.m. there is a movie presentation. Children must be 6 years old or older to be admitted to the 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. programs.
Tickets are available in our ticket booth 30 minutes prior to the presentation. All members of the party should be present when tickets are purchased. Once the doors close, no one is admitted late to the presentation.
March/April Friday Night Public Show Schedule
Closed for Spring Break March 17th, Good Friday April 7th, and Fiesta Battle of Flowers Parade April 28th
This is our family show. All ages may attend. A family from another star system is embarking on the ultimate space vacation looking for the perfect spot to rest and relax. Join them and see the solar system from a distinctly different point of view. Show duration: 40 minutes. Tickets go on sale at 6:00PM.
Children must be 6 and above to attend. This program takes the audience on a “live” tour of the wonders of the San Antonio sky. The show highlights the Moon, the evening and morning planets, plus we’ll identify several of the brightest stars and constellations visible in the current sky. The Sky Tonight is a "live" lecture. Show duration: 45-50 minutes.
“DYNAMIC EARTH” – Children must be 6 and above to attend. Explore the inner workings of Earth's climate system. With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations, this cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the Sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere, oceans, and the biosphere. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes.
"SECRETS OF THE SUN” – Children must be 6 and above to attend. An intimate look at the roles the Sun plays in the life of our Solar System. From the nuclear forces churning at the heart of the Sun to the mass ejections of solar material into surrounding space, we experience the power of the Sun and its impact of the planets and ultimately life on Earth. We trace the Sun’s life cycle, going back to its beginnings and moving forward in time to its eventual death. Show duration for double feature: 1 hour. Tickets go on sale at 9:00pm.
Ticket Information & Pricing
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The Scobee Planetarium ticket sales have been brisk during the 30 minutes prior to show times. It is encouraged that visitors arrive early if they plan to be seated. There are only 101 seats in our theatre and the shows often sell out.
- Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office inside the Scobee Education Center 30 minutes prior to show time. Tickets may be purchased with credit card, cash or check.
- Seating is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups should be together at the time of ticket purchase to ensure that all members of the group are present when the doors close. Shows start promptly at the designated times and due to the nature of the planetarium theatre, late entry is not permitted. Shows last 40 to 60 minutes in length.
- Birthday parties renting the spaces in the Scobee Education Center are provided 25 seats in the planetarium show following their gathering. These individuals are seated first as a result of this agreement. The Scobee Education Center does not sell advance tickets or take reservations separate from these birthday party agreements for Friday night shows. Birthday reservations are subject to availability of the Briefing Room, Mays North Lobby and programming.
See show schedule for age restrictions. Age restrictions will not be waived for the 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. programs. -
Ticket sales begin 30 minutes prior to show time at the Ticket Office. Capacity is exactly 101 seats. Come early. Shows start promptly and late admission is not permitted. Tickets and seating are "first come-first served." No reservations taken.
Parents, please do not ask us to waive the age restrictions for the 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows.
Children under 17 - $4.00 per show
Adults age 18 and above - $5.00 per show
Seniors 65 and above - $4.00 per show
Military with ID - $4.00 per show
Teachers with Official School ID - $4.00 per show
Students, faculty, & staff of Alamo Colleges $2.00 per show with current ID.
Programs Offered
Public programming is available on Friday Evenings only.
School, camp and community group programs are available by reservation only during other times and dates. It is recommended that large scout and community groups prearrange their own programs instead of meeting at the public presentations in order to have everyone in their group seated. If you are coordinating a large group, please, contact our center to make special group arrangements during weekdays prior to the Friday evening public performances. Call (210) 486-0100 or email sac-ScobeeCtr@alamo.edu
*Educators may download a summary of the planetarium presentations: 2022 - 2023 Planetarium Show Listings w/TEKS
(Group presentation) Our planetarium programs are designed to be “grade-specific.” If you have questions about program content and which show to choose, ask our reservation secretary, Monica Gutierrez at (210) 486-0100. The “Sky Tonight Live” presentation is the only astronomer-led presentation offered for up to 100 students via the Zoom Web platform. Plan your next sky adventures with our Planetarium Coordinator, Michelle Risse at mrisse2@alamo.edu
Scalan Observatory
Housed atop the iconic blue Charles E. Cheever, Jr. Star Tower, the Scalan Observatory houses a 10-inch refractor telescope and features a 360-degree rotating dome and panel that opens 90-degrees, enabling stargazing in any direction. The adjacent Powell Star Deck accommodates up to 50 guests for a rooftop star gazing experience or an outdoor classroom for astronomy students.