Herbert Trackman Planetarium

Dedicated to continuing its tradition of outstanding astronomical instruction and entertainment since 1973! The Trackman Planetarium features a 30' diameter dome and a state-of-the-art digital projection system. Planetarium shows include interactive sky tours exploring constellations and planets, followed by a stellar full dome production.

October Planetarium Shows

As Autumn sets in, the nights grow longer and darker. October skies feature celestial marvels like dazzling constellations, planetary pairings, meteor showers, and flyby comets! Discover it all at the Trackman Planetarium, where you can explore the universe, unlock cosmic curiosities, and experience the wonders of the stars. Come see what’s shining above JJC. Your journey through the cosmos begins here.

Planetarium shows are free to attend. All ages welcome!

✮ ALL SHOWS ARE HELD 6:00-7:00p.m. ✮
 

✧ Tuesday, September 30
“Forward! To the Moon” NASA’s Artemis program is the next giant leap on the mission to the Moon! See similarities between Apollo & Artemis, hear the perspectives of mission astronauts, and investigate what it takes to travel safely 240,000 miles from home (and back). This full dome production gives us a glimpse into what a sustainable future on the lunar surface might look like. Narrator Kari Byron of Myth Busters launches us on a voyage beyond Earth and into the next chapter of human space exploration.  

✧ Thursday, October 2
“From Earth to the Universe” This stunning voyage through space and time portrays the Universe as revealed to us by science. Revel in the splendor of the Solar System. Explore its unique star, many Moons, asteroids, comets, dwarf planets, and more. Travel to the colorful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars, into the depths of nebulae. And still further out beyond the Milky Way to an unimaginable immensity of galaxies.  

✧ Tuesday, October 7
“Distant Worlds: Alien Life?” investigates humanity’s greatest questions: Are we alone in the universe? Can life exist and persist on distant planets? Explore the scientific possibility of extraterrestrial life with imaginative visualizations of other worldly origins.  This show dives into what life needs to thrive, where it might be found, what it could look like, and how future discoveries could forever change our understanding of the cosmos.

✧ Thursday, October 9
“Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus & Andromeda” This show brings ancient mythology to life in a fun-filled animated adventure. An imaginative retelling of the tale of a beautiful but unfortunate princess. In divine punishment, she is sent to the sea, captured by a sea monster. A brave hero Perseus rescues the damsel in distress. Along the way, we meet humorous and exciting characters and learn the story of how the constellations were placed in the night sky, forever travelling throughout the seasons. Fun for the whole family!

✧ Tuesday, October 14
“Atlas of a Changing Earth” is the story of how a revolution in map-making is revealing the planet’s changing landscape in the wake of rising global temperatures. This award-winning full dome production uses stunning, latest-generation imagery from space, taking viewers into the dynamic processes causing glacial melt and coastal changes. See the Earth in striking detail and gain a greater understanding of rising sea levels.

✧ Thursday, October 16
“DARK: Understanding Dark Matter” Explores the nature of dark matter - the hidden 80% of all mass in the universe.  This show addresses what we know about its existence and uses science to attempt a greater understanding of the unknown structure of space. Journey through a completely immersive simulation of the cosmos and dive deeper into the mystery of dark matter. From the Big Bang to the edge of modern physics - the answers could reshape everything we know about space, time, and the universe itself. 

✧ Tuesday, October 21
“5,000 Eyes: Mapping the Universe with DESI” reveals the latest discoveries being made by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). This stunning new full dome film investigates what drives the expansion of the cosmos as DESI’s 5,000 robotic “eyes” create the most detailed map of our universe.

✧ Thursday, October 23
“Supermassive Black Holes: Uncovering the Invisible” Prepare for a journey into the deepest regions of spacetime where humans could never venture…until now. Explore formations of the Universe’s greatest phenomena. This captivating full dome combines cutting-edge science with striking and immersive visualizations as we uncover the mysteries lurking inside supermassive black holes. Explore the origin, evolution, and mind-bending behavior of these cosmic giants. 

✧ Tuesday, October 28
“Dark Matter Mystery: Exploring a Cosmic Secret” investigates the unknown… what makes up the structure of space itself? The hunt for dark matter challenges astrophysicists, scientists, and the minds of astronomers across the globe. We know it exists. But we cannot see it. We cannot feel it. Yet its gravitational effects shape galaxies, bend light, and hold the cosmos together. Dive into the forefront of scientific research. Can you solve the dark matter mystery?

✧ Thursday, October 30
“Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter” showcases Science’s greatest mystery, the exploration of dark matter - from the Big Bang to galaxy formation to the Large Hadron Collider. Journey inside CERN, the world’s largest particle accelerator, to understand the hidden fabrics of the universe. An immersive insight into the complex structure of what holds galaxies together.  This show reveals the innovative experiments and bold theories that seek to uncover one of the universe’s greatest hidden forces.
 

Come back next month for the November show schedule...

About the JJC Planetarium

You're invited to explore the Universe at JJC's Trackman Planetarium! 

Located in Room F-1001 on Joliet Junior College's Main Campus, the Trackman Planetarium welcomes the public to experience the wonders of the cosmos. Our 55-seat, theatre-style dome offers an immersive environment where science comes to life. No registration required. Join us for free public shows every Tuesday and Thursday evening 6:00-7:00p.m. (unless otherwise noted). 

Interested in booking a field trip for your school? JJC's Trackman Planetarium makes learning about science FUN and memorable. JJC field trip opportunities are held on select Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays all year long! These free, unique presentations are tailored to your students' grade level and designed to align with classroom curriculum. Prepare for a stellar journey covering topics from science and mythology to history, literature, art, anatomy, and beyond. A trip to the Trackman offers an unforgettable learning experience in a unique one-of-a-kind setting. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

Private group presentations are also available during field trip hours or select Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Whether you're a Scout troop, library, day care, senior center, special needs facility, church, or lifelong learner organization, we offer engaging, private shows that inspire curiosity and spark discovery. 

✮ Contact fieldtripcoordinator@jjc.edu or call (815) 280-2601 for more information ✮