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The Sun: Our Living Star | Planetarium Show

Date: Sat, Sep 19, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Venue: Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, Chapel Hill

Price:

Category: Community

It is our nearest star and our planet’s powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life. The Sun has shone on our world for four and a half billion years. The light that warms our skin today has been felt by every person who has ever lived. It is our nearest star and our planet’s powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life. The passage of the Sun’s fiery disc across the sky — day by day, month by month — was the only way to keep track of time for countless past civilizations. Don’t be fooled by the terminology; although it is a typical dwarf star, the Sun consumes 600 million tons of hydrogen each second and is 500 times as massive as all the planets combined. Discover the secrets of our star in this planetarium show and experience never-before-seen images of the Sun’s violent surface in immersive fulldome format. Produced by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). This show is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Raleigh Mom Club — Raleigh, NC

Community · Chapel Hill

The Sun: Our Living Star | Planetarium Show

“Park at the Rosemary Street decks and walk over to avoid campus traffic.”

When
This Saturday
Sat, Sep 19, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
See details
chapel hill

The Sun: Our Living Star is an immersive fulldome planetarium show at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center that explores the power, history, and science of our closest star. Visitors will see high-resolution imagery of the solar surface and learn how this dwarf star drives Earth's weather, seasons, and life. This show is best suited for elementary-aged children and older who can sit through a forty-five-minute presentation in a dark theater. While ticket prices vary, you can purchase them online in advance to secure your seats. For parking, use the Raleigh Road Visitor Lot or the nearby Rosemary Street parking decks, as campus parking can be limited on weekends. It makes a smart weekend outing because it combines education with entertainment, offering a screen-free way to spark a curiosity for space science. Plus, its location on the UNC campus means you can easily pair the show with a walk to Franklin Street for lunch afterward.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age group is this planetarium show best for?
This show is best for children ages six and up who can comfortably sit in a dark dome theater for about forty-five minutes.
Where should we park for the Morehead Planetarium?
The closest public parking is the Morehead Lot directly in front of the building, but it fills quickly. The Raleigh Road Visitor Lot and downtown Chapel Hill municipal decks on Rosemary Street are reliable backups.

Last updated

This Saturday

Directions

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

The Sun: Our Living Star | Planetarium Show runs Sat, Sep 19, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM.

Getting There

Morehead Planetarium & Science Center is at 250 East Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, Chapel Hill, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at Morehead Planetarium & Science Center →

What to Bring

Admission is listed on the official page; otherwise, come as you are.

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