Soar into space in the New Jersey State Museum’s Planetarium! With our Ultra-High Resolution 8K projection system and our 140 spacious, specially-designed reclined seats, your experience is sure to be comfortable and out of this world! Our dynamic and knowledgeable planetarium presenters will take you on tours of New Jersey’s skies and beyond.

Public Show Times:
Weekdays: Tuesday – Friday, 2:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Summer Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm

Public shows are roughly 50 minutes total, with full-dome planetarium films preceded by live star talks presented by planetarium staff. Shows for our visitors 8 and younger are roughly 30 minutes long with no pre-show star talk.

The Public Show Schedule changes monthly and is listed in our Calendar of Events. Also see our Calendar of Events to find out about our special public programming!

The last Saturday & Sunday of each month, a Spanish language show is available at 11:00 am.

Ticket Information:
Children 2 and under    -------------------------Free
Children 3 to 12    --------------------------------$5
Ages 13+    ------------------------------------------$10
Seniors/Students/Veterans    --------------$9
NJSM Foundation Members    -----------------------$2 off all tickets
Families First/eWIC Cardholders    -----------------------up to 4 free tickets
Active Military (Labor Day – Armed Forces Day)    -----------------------Free for service member, and $1 off up to 4 tickets
Active Military (Armed Forces Day – Labor Day)    -----------------------up to 6 free tickets
NJEA Cardholders    ------Free for cardholder, and $1 off up to 4 tickets
Groups of 15 or more    -----------------------$5 per person.

We accept cash and credit/debit cards.

Advanced ticket sales are not available; box office opens 30 minutes before the first show

The Museum participates in the Blue Star Museum Program. From Armed Forces Day in May, through Labor Day, those on active duty military service and up to five family members receive free admission to a Planetarium show. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card.

School/Group Visits

To schedule a school or community group visit to the Planetarium, call (609) 292-1382 or email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov

Happy Birthday from the New Jersey State Museum!

Bring your child to the Planetarium for their birthday and receive a free gift! Just tell the box office when buying tickets and give them the birthday child’s first name. They will give your child the free gift and the Planetarium will announce the birthday before the show! If you call three or more business days in advance, the Planetarium will also add a banner to the dome to celebrate! To add the banner, contact Jacob.Hamer@sos.nj.gov

Book a Private Show*

Experience our Ultra-High Resolution 8K projection system in an exclusive private show for you and your friends, family or community group. Reservations must be made three weeks in advance. Final head count and full payment is due two weeks in advance with no exceptions. Contact Reservations at (609) 292-1382 or email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov.

Private shows includes:

• Show of your choice
• Star talk before the show
• Digital banner to celebrate your special occasion displayed on dome before the show
• No minimum for group size

We offer two options:
1. During regular Museum operation hours: $300 for up to 40 people and $5 per person for each additional person up to 140. These private shows are only available on these days and times:

• Saturday and Sunday: 9:30am and 10:30am
• Tuesday-Friday: From 9:30am to 2:30pm, depending on availability

2. After-hours for an additional fee: $500 for up to 40 people and $5 per person for each additional person up to 140. After-hours private shows are available on these days and times:

• Between 4:00pm and 8:00pm Tuesday-Sunday

*Please note: This option is for one show only. This is not a space rental. If your group requires planning for a business event including food, presentation stage, sound system or other special considerations you must contact NJSM.rentals@sos.nj.gov to secure a rental contract for use of space. Birthday parties cannot make private use of the public spaces in the building.

Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, a native of Montclair, New Jersey, was the second man to stand on the surface of the moon. The visor in his helmet shows a reflection of Astronaut Neil Armstrong (first man on the moon) taking this picture, as well as one footpad of the Lunar Module Eagle and the United States flag planted next to it.