Skywatching: Views from The Durham
2024-07-15 21:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St, Durham, North Carolina, 27701, United States
Join us on the roof of The Durham Hotel for a series of telescopic stargazing nights. Stop by for guided constellation tours and educational activities, all while enjoying music from DJ Mic Check. Music begins at 8:00 pm and stargazing begins at 9:00 pm. This skywatching event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

Skywatching: Views from The Durham
2024-09-09 20:00 - 22:00 | The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St, Durham, North Carolina, 27701, United States
Join us on the roof of The Durham Hotel for a series of telescopic stargazing nights. Stop by for guided constellation tours and educational activities, all while enjoying music from DJ Mic Check. Music begins at 7:30 pm and stargazing begins at 8:00 pm. This skywatching event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

Skywatching: Partial Lunar Eclipse
2024-09-17 22:15 - 23:15 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Following Starry Nights: Fall Skies on Tuesday, September 17, head to the Morehead Sundial to observe a partial lunar eclipse! This free skywatching event is open to the public and does not require an admission ticket to Morehead. We ask that you review parking information below or on our Plan A Visit page before arriving.

Learn more about skywatching

A lunar eclipse. (Credit: Jayme Hanzak)

About the lunar eclipse

The times below are for Chapel Hill, NC and surrounding areas. To find information on the lunar eclipse in your area, visit Time and Date.
Begins: September 17, 8:41 p.m.
Maximum: September 17, 10:44 p.m.
Ends: September 18, 12:47 a.m.

Parking

PARKING FOR CARS AND VANS
Parking for Morehead visitors is available in several area parking lots and on Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill.
The closest parking lot is located directly in front of the Morehead Building and is owned and operated by UNC as a campus-wide parking lot. This UNC lot will be under construction through early summer 2024. During this time, parking will be limited and only available in designated visitor spaces identified by visitor signage. Visitors can pay for parking using the ParkMobile app (Zone Code 4468) or the Digital Pay Station near our iguana. There is no cash payment option.
Parking on Saturdays and Sundays is free unless the lot is reserved for special events. After business hours and on weekends, other parking lots on the UNC campus may also have spaces available. Overnight parking is not permitted in this UNC lot.
We strongly encourage visitors to plan ahead and allow adequate time to find alternate parking (visit Park on the Hill for more information). Thank you for your understanding as the University works to create an improved parking environment at Morehead. Questions concerning this parking lot can be directed to UNC Transportation and Parking at 919.962.3951.
PARKING FOR BUSES
Buses and oversized vehicles may pull into the lot to drop off students, but must park off-site. For more information about bus parking, please see our Field Trips page (for schools) or Group Visits page (for non-school groups).

Skywatching: Views from The Durham
2024-10-21 19:30 - 21:30 | The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St, Durham, North Carolina, 27701, United States
Join us on the roof of The Durham Hotel for a series of telescopic stargazing nights. Stop by for guided constellation tours and educational activities, all while enjoying music from DJ Mic Check. Stargazing begins at 7:30 pm. This skywatching event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

This date is a reschedule for the canceled August 19 event.

UNC Science Expo
2025-04-05 11:00 - 16:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Join us for one of the biggest science celebrations in the state!

Every year, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosts a day of science learning and fun for our community in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill faculty, students, and staff.

The UNC Science Expo is a signature event of the annual North Carolina Science Festival and one of the biggest celebrations of science in the state. More than 100 booths staffed by UNC-Chapel Hill students, researchers, practitioners, and community volunteers fill the quads surrounding Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. From hands-on activities and games to science demonstrations and behind-the-scenes lab tours, the UNC Science Expo makes learning about science fun and engaging for people of all ages.

Spot, an agile mobile robot from Boston Dynamics, wows the crowd at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center as part of the UNC Science Expo on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Learn More About the UNC Science Expo

UNC Science Expo Parking

If you are attending the UNC Science Expo and plan to drive, please allow extra time for parking due to limited options caused by the Expo and other events in Chapel Hill. Please note that the parking lot in front of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center (250 E Franklin Street) will be closed on April 5.

For campus parking options, please visit https://maps.unc.edu/parking/. Parking is also available in town lots and on the street, but public parking fees may apply. For more information about Town of Chapel Hill parking options, visit https://parkonthehill.com/.

Accessible parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Old East lot, located on E Cameron Ave between the New East and Old East buildings. A drop-off zone will be available at the Morehead lot throughout the event.

Art in Bloom Community Experience
2026-02-27 14:30 - 2026-03-01 18:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Interpreting the zodiac element of fire

Friday, February 27 – Sunday, March 1

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is thrilled to help kick off the North Carolina Museum of Art’s (NCMA) annual Art in Bloom, presented by PNC Bank, as a 2026 Community Activation Partner! In the spirit of the NCMA’s commitment to Art for All, visitors can experience a stunning outdoor floral installation at Morehead from February 27 through March 1. Designed by Durham floral artist Adama Jay‑Harrison and her team at Lavish Leaf, the installation interprets the zodiac element of fire, creating a striking fusion of artistic imagination and science-inspired storytelling. This large-scale creation will frame Morehead’s Main Entrance, offering a vibrant and welcoming start to Art in Bloom festivities across the Triangle.

To complement the installation, Morehead educators will present special fire-themed demonstrations on the Science Stage throughout the day on Saturday, February 28. Guests can explore how fire works as a chemical reaction that releases energy as heat and light, and watch a classic “flame test” experiment that reveals how different elements produce different colors.

Community Experience Schedule

Friday, February 27: Floral installation opens

Saturday, February 28: Fire-themed science demonstrations

Sunday, March 1: Floral installation closes

Looking for other ways to engage with Morehead and NCMA?

On Saturday, March 14, we’ll join the NCMA and Raleigh Astronomy Club in the Museum Park for a free, family-friendly evening of skywatching. Learn more about the skywatching session.

UNC Science Expo
2026-04-11 11:00 - 16:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Join us for one of the biggest science celebrations in the state!

Every year, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosts a day of science learning and fun for our community in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill faculty, students, and staff.

The UNC Science Expo is a signature event of the annual North Carolina Science Festival and one of the biggest celebrations of science in the state. More than 100 booths staffed by UNC-Chapel Hill students, researchers, practitioners, and community volunteers fill the quads surrounding Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. From hands-on activities and games to science demonstrations and behind-the-scenes lab tours, the UNC Science Expo makes learning about science fun and engaging for people of all ages.

Spot, an agile mobile robot from Boston Dynamics, wows the crowd at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center as part of the UNC Science Expo on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Learn More About the UNC Science Expo

UNC Science Expo Parking

If you are attending the UNC Science Expo and plan to drive, please allow extra time for parking due to limited options caused by the Expo and other events in Chapel Hill. Please note that the parking lot in front of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center (250 E Franklin Street) will be closed on April 11.

For campus parking options, please visit maps.unc.edu/parking/. Parking is also available in town lots and on the street, but public parking fees may apply. For more information about Town of Chapel Hill parking options, visit parkonthehill.com.

Accessible parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Old East lot, located on E Cameron Ave between the New East and Old East buildings. A drop-off zone will be available at the Morehead lot throughout the event.
