Brazosport Planetarium

Launch your imagination into outer space at the BASF Planetarium!

  • Take a tour of the planets and moons of our solar system.
  • Learn to identify constellations in the same planetarium as NASA astronauts.
  • Journey to the edge of the universe with your entire family.
  • Affordable ticket prices and new shows every month make the BASF Planetarium a perfect destination again and again.

BP Schedule of Events

solar eclipse

March Planetarium Show: Total Eclipse of the Sun

March 5, 12, 19, 22 & 26 at 7:00 PM

Tickets are $5/person for non-members and FREE for members.

Learn about the solar eclipse and how you can get ready for April 8th.

Espectáculo del planetario en Español: Eclipse total de sol

3 de abril a las 7:00 PM

Los boletos cuestan $5 por persona para los no miembros y GRATIS para los miembros.

Aprende sobre el eclipse solar mientras esperamos el eclipse del 8 de abril.

facts planetarium image

Saturday Planetarium Events

Star & Space Story Time

Saturdays at 12:30 PM in the planetarium lobby; this event is free, but an RSVP is requested at the link above! Book selections change weekly.

Planetarium Shows

Family-friendly shows are at 1:00 PM on Saturdays in our fulldome planetarium. Click the date below to purchase tickets for that specific show!

Tickets are $5/person for non-members and FREE for members.

March 2: Max Goes to the Moon

March 9: Perfect Little Planet

March 16: Accidental Astronauts

March 23: Earth, Moon & Sun

March 30: Dawn of the Space Age

astroday planetarium

2023 - 2024 Special Events

UPCOMING EVENTS:  

Networking Under the Stars w/ the Brazoria County Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Professionals group: March 21, 6:30 PM

Partial Solar Eclipse Event: April 8, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Lakeside Starry Night: April 12, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM at Lakeside Park in Angleton

 

PAST EVENTS:

Spring Astronomy Night: March 16, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

How to Use Your Telescope Workshop: March 16, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Spring Break Spectacular: “SPACE IS THE PLACE” – March 15, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (FREE)

Scholastic Bowl: February 22, 7:00 PM

Fall Astronomy Night: October 21, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Annular Solar Eclipse Event: October 14, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Lakeside Starry Night: August 25, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Lakeside Park in Angleton

ScienceCafe_Square-StackedLogo

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Stay tuned for our next event!

 

PAST EVENTS:

November 10: What is a Radiopharmaceutical? with Dr. Keith Frank

August 5: Hot Science with Frozen Sensors with Dr. Joe Fowler

June 16: The Life of Stars with David Babb

Our Programs

Events Calendar

Calendar of Events

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Volunteer Open House

3 events,

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1 event,

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5 events,

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Spring Astronomy Night

2 events,

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Networking Under the Stars

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“Legends” concert

About Brazosport Planetarium

Brazosport Planetarium advances its mission to connect our community with the scope, working and beauty of the physical universe and seeks to develop a more scientifically literate community by serving families, diverse populations, students, young professionals and community leaders in Brazoria and adjacent counties through accessible weekly planetarium shows, high school classes, special outreach, workshops, mission based social events and lectures and emphasizing our competitive advantage of proximity, affordability, family friendliness and educational entertainment. We are sustainable by the support of The Center for the Arts & Sciences, fees & membership dues, school district support, ticket sales, local grants, mission-based fundraisers and the generosity of our donors.

In the Planetarium Lobby:

• Interactive computer stations and displays

• ViewSpace: Images from Hubble, Spitzer & Chandra telescopes with the latest news about our solar system, updated daily by astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland.

• Lobby is open to the public at no charge before Planetarium Shows. Planetarium shows are recommended for ages 5 – adult.
For more information, please call The Center’s main office at 979-265-7661.

BASF Planetarium Shows 

Every Tuesday and 4th Friday – 7:00 PM

Saturdays at 1:00 PM

Admission:

Adults – $5.00

Child (12 & under) – $3.00

Volunteer with Brazosport Planetarium

Brazosport Planetarium offers many opportunities to volunteer to help us fulfill our mission of connecting our community with the scope, working and beauty of the physical universe.

Volunteers are needed to help welcome guests to planetarium shows, organize and present special events, such as our Spring and Fall Astronomy Days, serve in leadership positions and to host special outreach and “star parties” to local schools and civic organizations.

Volunteer positions:   These positions are for shows on Tuesday and Friday nights as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Docent – Hospitality Person–   You would greet guests when they come in and help them feel welcome to explore the exhibits and displays in the lobby and in the dome.  Sometimes the dome will be closed while preparing for the show so the guests need to discover the lobby computers and displays. 

Presenters or “Edutainers”  – This person needs to have some acting skills  to entertain our guests as well as educate them.  The scripts will be written already so delivery of the content is all this person needs to do.  A love of Astronomy and Space will help.

Tech person –  This person will run the computers.  They will bring the stars and space to the guests in the Dome.  If you loved playing video games at some time in your life you will be the perfect person for this volunteer position. 

If you are interested in volunteering and would like more information, please contact The Center’s Volunteer Coordinator, Amanda Helms, at (979) 265-7661.

You may also email us at ahelms@bcfas.org or complete the Volunteer Interest Form online.

Membership

Full Circle Sampler

Membership Benefits (beginning September 2023)

Enjoy an exciting season at The Center (and beyond) with memberships to each Partner Group with this “sampler” package! 

  • Brazosport Fine Arts Council membership (voting level membership) + $50 donation to Center Operations
  • Brazosport Art League Single Artist membership (valid through Sept. 30, 2024)
  • 5 adult Flex Tickets to Brazosport Center Stages*  (to be used in any combination to 2023/2024 regular season shows)
  • Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Individual membership (valid Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024)
  • BASF Planetarium individual membership
  • 4 adult Flex Tickets to Brazosport Symphony Orchestra* (to be used in any combination to 2023/2024 regular season concerts)

*Reservations required to redeem BCS & BSO Flex Tickets

BASF Planetarium Membership

2023/2024 Season Membership Benefits

Individual single admission to all shows
Family & Friends 4 admissions to all shows
Patron 6 admissions to all shows, recognition in the BASF Planetarium lobby & discount on Spectacular Science workshops (Summer at The Center)
Sponsor Patron benefits plus guest pass
Show Sponsor Sponsor benefits plus recognition for 1 show
Lifetime free admission for a lifetime
Annual Underwriter Show Sponsor benefits plus recognition for all shows on website, eblast & LED marquee (as available)

Memberships tickets must be redeemed by reserving seats (general admission) prior to each BASF Planetarium show. Reservations may be made online, in person or by calling (979) 265-7661 during The Center’s regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM). Membership tickets may also be redeemed at the planetarium 30 minutes prior to each show, pending availability.

History of Brazosport Planetarium

Brazosport Planetarium is a resident program of The Center for the Arts & Sciences and is based in the BASF Planetarium, a special addition to The Center that opened in 1984.

Brazosport Planetarium started its life as the Brazosport Nature Center & Planetarium. Its first director was Bryan Adams, who also served as the Astronomy teacher for Brazosport ISD. After Mr. Adams’ retirement, the planetarium director position was assumed by his teaching successor, Judi James. Ms. James is the current planetarium director and, along with Brazosport Planetarium leadership, continues to develop high-quality and enriching planetarium shows each month.

Brazosport Planetarium Affiliations

Brazosport Astronomy Club is a group of people interested in the study, enjoyment and sharing of astronomy. No dues. No telescope needed. Astronomy Club member outreach includes school star gazes and other events to encourage education and enjoyment of astronomy!

Currently, the club is on hiatus as it reorganizes and strategizes to meet the needs of our community. Check this space often for updates and planned events, including our semi-annual Astronomy Days!

Brazosport Planetarium Tours

The BASF Planetarium’s 30-foot dome theater seats about 60 visitors. Groups visit the BASF Planetarium and either the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science or the Art Gallery rotating between the two venues.

School field trips are scheduled Tuesday – Thursdays. Approximately two hours is needed plus travel time for your visit. To request a school field trip, please complete this form.

IF you are NOT a school requesting a field trip, please complete the form here to request a tour. A Center representative will contact you soon.

BASF Planetarium Special Events

Solar Eclipse Events

Join BASF Planetarium for upcoming partial Solar Eclipse events! 

SPRING 2024 Partial Solar Eclipse

April 8, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Scholastic Bowl

As one of the most anticipated events of the year, BASF Planetarium’s Scholastic Bowl welcomes adult and high school teams to The Center for the Arts & Sciences for an evening of trivia and fun. Over three rounds, teams answer a litany of questions concerning, art, science, pop culture and local interests.

Scholastic Bowl is the main fundraising event for BASF Planetarium and relies on the entry fees, individual and corporate sponsorships for this event to help fund its educational activities throughout the year.

Date: February 2024

Astronomy Night

Each Fall and Spring, Brazosport Planetarium hosts Astronomy Night. Our local advocational astronomers set up their telescopes and hands-on astronomy activities in the parking lot of The Center for the Arts & Sciences. When the skies are clear, participants are encouraged to view celestial objects in our night sky.  In addition to the telescopes and related activities, the planetarium will present short shows periodically throughout the events. This is event takes place “rain or shine” and is FREE to the public! 

Spring 2024 Astronomy Night

March 16, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Science Cafe

Stay tuned for details on the next Science Cafe event!

 

Brazosport Planetarium Leadership 2023-2024
Chair
Amy Smolen
Activities
Kristina Denoncourt
Secretary
Mary Fuchs
Budget Manager
Mark Busbice
Policies
Diane Hill
Facilities
Steve Elbert
Publicity
Lauri Cherian
At Large
David Babb
Ex Officio Members
Planetarium Director
Vacant

Our Programs

Events Calendar

Calendar of Events

S Sun

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

1 event,

2 events,

4 events,

2 events,

3 events,

2 events,

5 events,

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Volunteer Open House

3 events,

3 events,

7 events,

3 events,

3 events,

2 events,

5 events,

1 event,

3 events,

5 events,

3 events,

2 events,

4 events,

6 events,

Spring Astronomy Night

2 events,

2 events,

6 events,

3 events,

4 events,

Networking Under the Stars

4 events,

4 events,

2 events,

2 events,

6 events,

2 events,

2 events,

0 events,

2 events,

0 events,

2 events,

3 events,

4 events,

3 events,

1 event,

3 events,

“Legends” concert