Walt & Marita Babula Planetarium
The universe comes to Fairbanks
Step inside the Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium 鈥 a new immersive theater where you can explore the night sky above Alaska, experience the northern lights, and travel across the universe without leaving your seat.
Daily Shows
All shows feature a fulldome film followed by a live tour of the night sky and beyond (45-min runtime).
There is no late entry. Please arrive early to purchase tickets. Ticket sales end 5 minutes before showtime. Shows are not recommended for children under 5 years old (programs for young children coming soon).
Experience the northern lights in breathtaking clarity with Aurora: Lights of Wonder鈥the world鈥檚 first 4K X 4K real time virtual reality fulldome show. Captured under Arctic skies, this immersive experience reveals the motion, science, and beauty of the aurora like never before.
Show times
- 10:00 a.m.
- 2:00 p.m.
- 4:00 p.m.
The Pretty COOL SPACE Movie is a visually stunning space journey that takes audiences on an immersive, mesmerizing odyssey from Earth to the farthest reaches of the universe. Spectacular nebulae and distant galaxies highlight the breathtaking beauty and mystery of the cosmos.
Showtimes
- 11:00 a.m.
- 3:00 p.m.
For the first time in human history... we are reaching beyond the edges of our own world. We have found thousands of new worlds... each one a whisper in the cosmos Among them, rare and precious... planets where life might take root. Worlds of water. Worlds of light.
Showtimes
- 1:00 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m.
Show tickets are available for purchase in-person at the Museum鈥檚 front desk. We recommend that you arrive 15-minutes before showtime to allow for time to purchase tickets. Ticket sales end 5-minutes prior to showtime. If you are coming for a planetarium show only, you do not need to purchase admission tickets for the rest of the museum. Discounted combination tickets for museum admission + planetarium tickets are available.
The planetarium experience is different from a typical museum exhibit. Programs take place in a darkened theater and may include loud sounds, immersive visuals, and periods of sustained attention. Some children find these experiences exciting, while others may find them overwhelming. The recommended ages of our shows is 5+. Programming for younger children will be coming soon.
To ensure an enjoyable experience for all guests, adults accompanying disruptive children will be asked to leave the theater with them. Because re-entry is not permitted during a presentation, they will not be able to return until the show has concluded.
Planetarium programs are shared experiences. To help everyone enjoy the show, please silence electronic devices, avoid conversations during presentations, and remain seated until the program concludes.
Seating is open and available on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend arriving early for the best seat selection.
Food and drinks are not permitted in the planetarium.
Guests who exit during a show will not be permitted to re-enter until the presentation has ended.
Audi assistive listening devices are available by request. Please arrive early so our planetarium staff can provide you with a device.
The theater has 2 wheelchair accessible spaces and 6 accessible aisle seats
Where Alaska's sky tells a bigger story
Experience the universe from one of the best aurora-viewing locations on Earth. Fairbanks offers a perspective on the night sky you won鈥檛 find anywhere else.
Explore discoveries from Arctic researchers and the Geophysical Institute, bringing real Alaska science directly into the planetarium experience.
Created in collaboration with the Geophysical Institute, the planetarium transforms cutting-edge Alaska research into immersive experiences for the public.
Inside the dome
The Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium is a 65-seat immersive theater beneath an 11-meter tilted dome. Using high-resolution projection and surround sound, the space transforms into a fully immersive environment where audiences are surrounded by the universe.
Whether you鈥檙e exploring distant galaxies or learning to navigate the Alaska night sky, every show is designed to be both educational and awe-inspiring.
What to expect:
Building the planetarium
The planetarium is currently in its final stages of construction and installation. From the dome structure to projection systems, each step brings us closer to opening day.
Planetarium project page
The 麻豆原创 Museum of the North now has a planetarium, and as planetarian Omega Smith said when she first came to the museum in the fall of 2025, 鈥淲e can move the stars.鈥
In this episode we discuss the new facility with Omega Smith, Director of the new Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium, about coming on board, building partnerships, and designing programs.
The Power of Philanthropy
Thanks to Walt and Marita Babula for making the planetarium a reality!
Additional donors to the project include the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, 麻豆原创F Geophysical Institute, Sarah and Cary Keller, the Michael and Lynn Rice Estate, Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc. and RESPEC.
Be Part of the Planetarium
The planetarium is more than a space, it鈥檚 a place for discovery, storytelling, and connection. Your support of the Planetarium Excellence Fund helps bring immersive shows to life, create opportunities for students, and expand access to science and culture across our community.
Photo credits: 麻豆原创MN exterior, courtesy 麻豆原创F University Relations; Dome photos courtesy 麻豆原创MN; Aurora over the Poker Flat Research Range, NASA Goddard /Terry Zaperach; Hunter's supermoon, 麻豆原创F photo by Eric Engman; Aurora over Pedro Dome, 麻豆原创F photo courtesy Isabella Colello; Aurora over 麻豆原创MN, 麻豆原创F photo by Eric Engman; Space Camp at 麻豆原创MN, 麻豆原创MN photo by E. Padilla; Sunset and 麻豆原创MN, 麻豆原创F photo by Maureen McCombs.