Astronomy Day

Celebrate National Astronomy Day at the Barlow Planetarium
Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Barlow Planetarium, UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities Campus, 1478 Midway Road, Menasha, WI

Discover the Universe with Us
Join us at Northeast Wisconsin’s premier star theater—the Barlow Planetarium—for a full day of activities in celebration of National Astronomy Day. Co-hosted by the Northeastern Wisconsin Stargazers (NEWSTAR) and the Barlow Planetarium, this event features free and low-cost programs for families, astronomy enthusiasts, and curious minds of all ages.

Event Highlights

Unveiling of Wisconsin’s Largest Inflatable Planetarium
Step inside our brand-new portable planetarium—the largest of its kind in Wisconsin—and experience A to Z Astronomy, a 25-minute journey across the universe, produced by the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

• Showtimes: 12:00 PM, 12:45 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:45 PM, 4:30 PM
• Admission: Free (one show per person). Seating is limited.
• Reserve your seat at the Barlow website. Donations appreciated.

Telescope Displays and Sky Viewing Explore the skies with NEWSTAR. Weather permitting, enjoy free solar and lunar viewing through telescopes, along with an astrophotography display. Bring your questions and curiosity!

Free Astronomy Presentations by NEWSTAR

Location: Room 1229

• Buying Your First Telescope – 1:00 PM
• A Virtual Tour of the Solar System – 3:30 PM

Walk the Solar System

Stroll through a 200-yard scale model of our Solar System inside the Fox Cities Campus. This interactive exhibit offers a true sense of the vastness of space.

Telescope Tune-Up Clinic
Bring your telescope for a free tune-up! NEWSTAR members will be on hand to help with finder scope alignment, optical collimation, and other common issues.

Barlow Planetarium Star Shows (1:00 PM – 7:30 PM)

Experience a variety of immersive shows in the Barlow Planetarium’s 50-foot dome:

• Secret of the Cardboard Rocket (Children’s Show) – 1:00 PM & 6:00 PM
• Taylor Swift Laser Show (Family Laser Experience) – 2:30 PM
• Cosmic Colors (Feature Show) – 4:00 PM & 7:30 PM
• Admission: $7 per person
• Tickets available at the door or online at the Barlow website. Advance purchase recommended due to limited seating.

Food Trucks On-Site
Enjoy a selection of food from local vendors throughout the afternoon and early evening.

For more information, visit: uwosh.edu/barlow/special-events
Or call 920-832-2848.