Explore The Universe While Supporting Science
There’s no better place to explore science (and support a good cause) than The Clark Planetarium at The Gateway in Downtown Salt Lake City.
The planetarium is publicly funded by Salt Lake County.
“Our mission is to inspire and engage curious minds by connecting people to the wonder of the universe. For more than 50 years, Clark Planetarium has been Salt Lake’s go-to destination for visitors of all ages who want to discover and learn about space and science,” is how it is described.
While it may appear the Clark Planetarium is for kids, it’s not. It’s a learning experience for anyone who’s curious about the Universe and wants to spend their day learning about space. Though it is WONDERFUL for kids and can really open them up to the fun of science.
From exhibits to educational IMAX films and shows in their famous Dome theater, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. While you will have to pay for the movies and shows, exploring the exhibits and browsing the gift shop is free. To keep everyone safe, Clark Planetarium has implemented a decreased attendee allowance, so you will need to reserve a time for your visit -- with peace of mind that you won’t have to deal with a huge crowd when you’re there!
The museum includes a journey from Earth to Space with stops at Mars and the Moon. Spread over three floors, indulging your curiosity is easy. Some of the exhibits include Restless Planet, Impact and The Moon. Restless Planet is a dive into volcanoes and other natural disasters that shape the earth. Impact allows you to visualize the radius of damage if a meteor were to hit earth.
There are so many other exhibits to fascinate you, you will just have to visit and see.
The shows that play in the IMax theater and Dome theater rotate but stay for extended periods, so if you want to see one, you will (probably) have plenty of time.
Movies in the IMAX are a lot like what one would find on National Geographic or Animal Planet. Currently, you could see a movie about the magnificence of the earth called “A Beautiful Planet 3D” or “Dinosaurs Of Antartica”, which speaks for itself. Here is a full list of current IMax offerings.
Do you like a little Rock and Roll with your science? Along with the space focused shows like “Big Astronomy” and “Birth Of Planet Earth”, the Dome offers laser shows set to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and other notorious rock bands. Here is a full list of everything you can see in the Dome.
A lot of us have grown quite accustomed to being couch potatoes. If you would like to explore the joys of the Clark Planetarium from the comfort of home, they have a number of on-demand shows, found here.
The Clark Planetarium is a staple of the Salt Lake Community. Pay them a visit, regardless of your age. Learning is lifelong and Clark Planetarium keeps it interesting. They operated as a non-profit, so you can also become a sustaining supporter if you are passionate about science education in the community.