When you go to New Jersey’s planetariums, you can see the stars, comets, planets and other celestial bodies very close rather than far away.  As you watch the show, some of the mysteries of the universe are unraveled before your eyes.  As for other secrets of the cosmos, they still remain unsolved.  Since New Jersey’s planetariums are so spellbinding, the time you spend there goes by so quickly like a comet moving through the night sky.

The Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, located at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey, is the biggest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.  When you go to this awesome planetarium, get ready to see the vast night sky and explore the mysteries of the universe like never before.  With state of the art technology, the shows at the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium are of the highest quality.  With pictures that have 88 million pixels and can create 281 billion colors, you will feel as if you are looking at a real night sky.  Not only will you learn about astronomy by gazing at all the fascinating stellar projections, you will also clearly hear stories about our universe thanks to digital sounds.  The speakers, at the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, produce 30,000 watts of digital sounds.

One of the most intriguing shows, now playing at the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, is Black Holes.  During this presentation, you can safely explore a black hole.  You do not have to worry about disappearing and going into another dimension!  Narrated by acclaimed actor Liam Neeson, this show will keep you enthralled from start to finish.

The Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium, which is New Jersey’s first planetarium, is located in Newark, New Jersey.  Even though it is very small compared to the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, it still serves the community of Essex County, as well as other surrounding areas, by educating the public about astronomy.  Every week children take a school trip to the Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium and learn about science.  Some will even develop a lifelong interest in science and may even decide to pursue careers in the field of science.

Located in the heart of Newark’s business district, the Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium also helps adults relax after a busy day at work.  Open on Saturdays, it is a great place for families to go and learn about astronomy together as they unwind. 

Even before planetariums ever existed, ancient civilizations were always interested in studying the universe.  Archimedes, who was an ancient Greek mathematician and scientist, created an early planetarium instrument.  Thanks to the brilliant scientific minds that came before us, today we have the most sophisticated equipment to provide the public with high quality planetarium shows.

Planetarium domes, which are made to resemble the arched nature of the sky, vary in size from 3 to 35 m in diameter.  The dome-shaped projection screen can display stars, planets, celestial objects and other wonders of the universe and make them move as they would in outer space.  Some planetarium shows are even in 3D making them even more exciting.  In addition to the planetary images, the music at the planetarium is an artistic voice that enhances the scientific story.

Vising New Jersey’s planetariums is a great activity for the entire family all year long.  The best times to visit New Jersey’s planetariums are during the winter and summer.  While you sit in the planetarium, you can escape the cold weather and look at the sky as if it was spring or fall.  Since there is air conditioning in the planetarium, you can take a break from the oppressive heat and view the galaxy comfortably.

Planetariums can be even better than movie theaters.  After watching a film, you are certainly entertained.  However, long after the planetarium show is over, you keep thinking about those mysteries of the universe.