Planetarium
Sky shows
Three live shows a day under our 14 metre dome, each one presented by an astronomer who stays to answer questions. Example times for this demo.
Showing now
Today in the dome
Skies over the savannah
A live tour of tonight's sky over Abuja, then back in time to the farmers and traders who read the stars to know when the rains would come.
35 minutes, ages 5 and up
Ring world
Leave Earth, cross the asteroid belt and fly through the ice of Saturn's rings, then land on Titan, a moon with lakes of liquid gas and rain that falls in slow motion.
30 minutes, ages 7 and up
Our star
The sun up close: bubbling plasma, giant flares, a total eclipse, and why the solar panels on Abuja rooftops work so well.
25 minutes, ages 4 and up
Timetable
This week's timetable
| Time | Tue | Wed to Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11am | Our star | Our star | Our star | Our star | Closed |
| 12 noon | Skies over the savannah | Skies over the savannah | Skies over the savannah | Skies over the savannah | Our star |
| 2pm | Ring world | Ring world | Ring world | Ring world | Ring world |
| 3.30pm | Skies over the savannah | Skies over the savannah | Skies over the savannah | Skies over the savannah | Skies over the savannah |
| 6.30pm | Ring world | ||||
| 7.30pm | Skies over the savannah, late |
The dome
Inside the dome
- 01
Reclining seats
120 seats tilt back so the whole sky sits above you. Four wheelchair spaces sit in the front row.
- 02
Live, every time
An astronomer runs the show from a desk in the middle, and changes it for the audience in the room.
- 03
Gentle start
The lights fade slowly. If a little one is unsure, sit by the exit, marked in soft red light.
What audiences say
Example reviews for this demo.
I have lived in Abuja twenty years and never seen the sky like that. I went outside afterwards and looked up properly for the first time.
Our six year old asked if Saturn was soft. The presenter took the question seriously, and the answer was brilliant.
Show questions
How early should we arrive?
Ten minutes before the start. Doors close when the show begins, so latecomers wait for the next one.
Can I bring food into the dome?
Water only, please. The seats are hard to clean in the dark.
Are shows in other languages?
Saturday 12 noon shows are presented in English with a Hausa summary, and school shows can be presented in Yoruba or Igbo on request.
Can we book the dome privately?
Yes, for parties, schools and company events. See parties or contact the events team.