Samuel Oschin Planetarium
With a new dome, star projector, laser digital projection system, seats, sound system, and theatrical lighting, the 300-seat Samuel Oschin Planetarium theater is the finest planetarium in the world. The planetarium features the most sophisticated star projector in the world, the Zeiss Universarium Mark IX.
The opening show - Centered in the Universe - takes visitors on a journey of cosmic exploration and discovery. Our second program, Water Is Life, leads viewers on a search for water - and possibly life - beyond Earth. Live presentations of these programs are scheduled every 60 - 90 minutes each day the Observatory is open; see below for a detailed schedule of when each is offered.
Please note: Children under 5 are admitted ONLY to the first show each day (12:45 p.m. on weekdays, 10:45 a.m. on weekends)
Centered in the Universe
Centered in the Universe asks fundamental questions about our place in the Universe. Who are we? Where did we come from? Why is the world the way it is? Stunning full-dome video transports us back in time, from the Library of Alexandria, to Galileo’s courtyard, to the world’s most powerful telescopes in a quest for answers among the stars. Travel through time and space back to the big bang and through a universe filled with galaxies to find our cosmic origins and discover our true place in the cosmos.
| Show Times: | |
| Tuesday-Friday: | 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:45 p.m. |
| Saturday-Sunday: | 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:45 p.m. |
| Closed Mondays |
Water Is Life
Water Is Life takes visitors on a journey through the solar system in search of water. On Earth, water is the key to life. If we find water on other worlds in the solar system, could we find life there, too? Blast off to Mars, crash through the ice of Jupiter’s moon Europa, and travel alongside a comet in a search for habitable worlds beyond Earth. Originally conceived and developed for Griffith Observatory’s school field trip program, Water is Life is an ideal family program that will appeal to even our youngest visitors.
| Show Times: | |
| Tuesday-Friday: | 12:45 p.m. |
| Saturday-Sunday: | 10:45 a.m., 4:15 p.m. |
| Closed Mondays |
Show Schedule
There are eight shows each weekday and ten shows each weekend day. The schedule for shows is described above. The Samuel Oschin Planetarium is closed on Mondays.
To the extent possible, shows will be presented on the posted schedule. However, it is possible that technical difficulties or required maintenance will cause the cancellation of one or more shows. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.
How to Buy Tickets
Show tickets may be purchased ONLY at the Observatory, only for that day's shows. Tickets are available at the Ticket Counter inside the W.M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda or at the automated ticket machines around the building.
Tickets are sold in blocks of 2-3 shows at a time during the course of each day, on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are ONLY available for the shows within the block on sale. No advance purchases or phone transactions are possible at any time. While there is no way to ensure the ability to purchase a ticket, visiting on weekdays will improve your chances.
| Weekdays (Tuesday-Friday): | Block 1 (on sale at 12:00 noon): 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m. |
| Weekends (Saturday-Sunday): | Block 1 (on sale at 10:00 a.m.): 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m. Block 2 (on sale at 1:30 p.m.): 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m. Block 3 (on sale at 3:30 p.m.): 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m. Block 4 (on sale at 6:00 p.m.): 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:45 p.m. |
Tickets for each show are sold until 10 minutes before the start of that show, unless tickets have been sold out prior to that time. For example, tickets for the 1:45 p.m. planetarium show will be taken off sale at 1:35 p.m.
There is a limit of 8 planetarium tickets per transaction. Coming on a tour or other group bus does NOT entitle you to purchase blocks of planetarium tickets.
The Observatory accepts credit cards or cash in payment for show tickets. We regret that we are unable to accept personal, corporate, or organization checks (including those from public institutions).
Once you have purchased planetarium tickets, there will be NO refunds (unless the show is canceled).
Ticket Prices
Tickets for shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium are priced as follows:
| Adults and Children 13 years and older | $7.00 |
| FOTO members | $5.00 |
| Seniors (60 years and older) | $5.00 |
| Students (must show ID) | $5.00 |
| Children 5-12 years | $3.00 |
| Small children (under 5 years) | FREE (but must sit on the lap of a parent or guardian |
The shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium are not appropriate for children under five years of age. The content, visuals, and sound of the planetarium programs are likely to be disorienting and/or disturbing for such children. To ensure a satisfying experience for all our visitors, children under 5 years old will ONLY be admitted to the following shows each day:
| Tuesday-Friday: | 12:45 p.m. |
| Saturday-Sunday: | 10:45 a.m. |
Children under five will be admitted free of charge to these shows, but they MUST sit on the lap of a parent or guardian.
Once You Have Your Ticket
Please make sure you are in line for your show at least 10 minutes before the show time printed on your ticket. There will be building announcements as a reminder before each show, but you are ultimately responsible for being on time.
There will be absolutely no late admission to the theater. Once the doors have closed, the show is underway and must not be interrupted.
Hearing assist receivers are available upon request. With 72-hour advance notice, we can also make provision for sign-language interpretation.
For More Information
If you have other questions about seeing the program in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, please call the Observatory's General Information Line at: 1-213-473-0800 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
For more information about the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, please click here.
