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.

August Planetarium Shows

As Summer endures, the night sky comes alive with celestial marvels, dazzling constellations, planetary pairings, and a magnificent meteor shower! 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 START AT 6:00p.m. ✮
 

✧ Tuesday, August 5
“Always Above: Space Is Closer Than You Think” Did you know there are an estimated 10,000 satellites orbiting overhead today? We utilize these satellites every day for shopping, communication, navigation, entertainment, and more! This film brings to perspective just how close space is to home and how these technologies affect our everyday lives. Explore the different types of satellites, their orbital patterns, the threats they pose, and the role of the U.S. Space Force in operating these assets.

✧ Thursday, August 7
“One Sky Project” A cultural journey through time. The stars we observe today are the very same stars admired by our most ancient ancestors – and they created grande stories in the skies. This film transcends these tales and retells them with beautiful artistry. Culture, history, and indigenous Astronomy meet to connect Earth, the sky, and humanity. An international collaboration bringing together the short stories of Orion and Artemis, the Navajo Thunderbird, Jai Singh’s Dream, the Celestial Canoe, the Samurai and the Stars, and Hawaiian Wayfinders.

✧ Tuesday, August 12 
“Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival” Are dinosaurs still walking among us today? Journey back in time… to the Mesozoic era approximately 65 million years ago. Explore the prehistoric past of colossal creatures that roamed the earth for millions of years, and the cataclysmic impact that led to their eventual annihilation. A true tale of evolutionary history. Join Celeste and the Moon in this scientifically groundbreaking story of dinosaur evolution, extinction, and the unexpected ways their legacy continues.

✧ Thursday, August 14
“Accidental Astronauts: An Earth, Sun, Moon Adventure” follows the journey of robo-friends Cy, Annie, and their mischievous dog Armstrong as they embark on a surprise trip to space. What was supposed to be a safe visit to the Space Center turns into near catastrophe as they stumble upon a rocket, race across the Moon's surface and narrowly survive a dramatic solar storm. Come along for the cosmic journey to explore extreme temperatures, asteroids, craters, and observe our home planet Earth.

✧ Tuesday, August 19
“Moon 2019” celebrates the astronomical accomplishments of Apollo 11, man’s first steps on the Moon! Explore the history behind the 1960s Space Race, the political upheaval countries were facing, and how one brilliant scientist, JJC alumni John C. Houbolt, advocated for a new method of getting to the Moon (and back). This film delves into the science of aeronautics and is a tribute to the monumental achievement of NASA’s Apollo missions.

✧ Thursday, August 21
“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.

✧ Tuesday, August 26
“Out There: The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds” This show tells the story of how human curiosity has driven us to look outwards for millennia - to discover and explore new distant worlds and to find the extraordinary unfamiliar forms of life that could exist in the mysterious realms of the Universe. As we traverse more and more of the cosmos, what we have found so far has surpassed even our wildest expectations - There are planets everywhere! A huge diversity of different worlds are out there... Just waiting to be discovered... at the Trackman Planetarium.

✧ Thursday, August 28
The Trackman Planetarium will be CLOSED on August 28
 

Come back next month for the September 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. We offer field trip opportunities 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 ✮