Exciting Shows Coming to the Planetarium

The W.A. Gayle Planetarium at Oak Park is excited to present an engaging lineup of shows. Visitors of all ages can experience breathtaking journeys through space and time with the following schedule.

Upcoming showings and schedule:

Summer months: June, July and August

For the summer months of June, July, and midway through August, we are expanding our public shows to Thursday and Friday afternoons at 1:30 pm (EXCLUDING July 24). 
This will start on June 4 and continue each Thursday and Friday through August 14, 2026. 
Shows begin promptly at 1:30 pm and tickets must be purchased at the gift shop counter 15 minutes before the start of the show.

     -- Tickets are $7.50 for ages 3 and above.

The full dome movie for the weekday Summer shows is "Stars:  The Powerhouses of the Universe". 

Show description: 
"Every star has a story. Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten. Others burn bright and end their lives in powerful explosions. New stars are created every day, born of vast clouds of gas and dust. Through every phase of their existence, stars release the energy that lights the Universe. Journey to the furthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of stars.

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Saturday public shows begin in July and run through September 26, 2026. 

Show listings

• 10 am - "The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket"  (kid's show)
• 11:30 am - "Firefall" (general audience)
• 1:00 pm - "The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket"  (kid's show)
• 2:30 pm - "Firefall" (general audience)

Show descriptions:

"The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket" - Embark on an amazing adventure as two children spend a night touring the solar system alongside their ship’s navigator, a talking astronomy book. This continues to be one of the most popular shows in the full-dome industry world-wide.

"Firefall" - Throughout Earth’s violent history, impacts from comets and asteroids have mercilessly shaped its surface. The ancient barrage continues today; from harmless meteors – those brilliant streaks in the night sky, to mountain sized boulders wandering perilously close to Earth. Terrifying and majestic, these invaders from space are capable of utter destruction yet they have delivered life-giving water and most of the organic materials necessary for life. Life on Earth owes its very existence to these denizens of the solar system, yet it could all be wiped out in an instant. This ceaseless Firefall is our only tangible connection to the universe beyond and is an ever-present reminder of our own humble beginnings in the hostile environment of space.

Gayle Planetarium News and Updates

Gayle Planetarium is happy to announce the installation of a new digital laser phosphor JVC projector to replace the projection unit that was installed in 2014.  This was needed as the old projector was no longer serviceable and the xenon bulbs used for projection were no longer manufactured. 

The new JVC DLA-VS4010 laser phosphor system provides several improvements – an increase in brightness by at least 2.3 times the original projector, increased contract, increased color saturation, a laser life cycle of over 20,000 hours, reduction in projector maintenance and the elimination of consumable high-cost projection bulbs.  The projector base unit was modified as well as new LED lighting installed onto the base. 

This system was able to interface with our original Konica-Minolta Super MediaGlobe II software and hardware (installed in 2014).

Future plans are to replace the 2014 computers and software with an up-to-date system to eliminate future hardware failures. 

For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact the planetarium at
     -- (334) 625-4799
     -- gayleplanetarium@montgomeryal.gov or
     -- visit the Facebook page.


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About the W.A. Gayle Planetarium:
The W.A. Gayle Planetarium at Oak Park is an educational facility dedicated to exploring the wonders of Earth and space through captivating presentations, light shows, and immersive experiences. Located in Montgomery, AL, the planetarium is a must-visit destination for space enthusiasts of all ages.

For additional information concerning the Planetarium, contact us at
     -- (334) 625-4799
     -- gayleplanetarium@montgomeryal.gov

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Saturday Schedule

     -- OPEN for GENERAL PUBLIC, every Saturday (see summer schedule above)
     -- Four shows playing every Saturday
     -- Open to the public, no reservation required
              -- DOME THEATER capacity 150 guests per show 
     -- Saturday show fees: $7.50 per person, per show (ages 3 and older)
              -- Children under 3 years of age are free

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Weekday showings and group bookings

The Planetarium at Oak Park is available during the week for private group showings. The DOME THEATER is capable of hosting 150 guests per show. 

For more information, pricing, and to reserve your group today, please contact the Planetarium at Oak Park: 
             -- (334) 625-4799
             -- gayleplanetarium@montgomeryal.gov

Location
     -- Planetarium at Oak Park is located at 1010 Forest Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106