Webinar | Our 2025 Impact Report
2025-09-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
We’re excited to share Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s annual report! At 12:00 pm on Friday, September 26, join us virtually or in person as we talk about our impact during the 2025 fiscal year.

If you plan to join us at Morehead, you’re welcome to bring your lunch. We ask that you register online if you plan to join us via webinar.

This event is free and open to all. Please contact Andrew Amodei at aamodei@unc.edu or 919.843.3475 if you have any questions.

Register for the webinar

Yoga Under The Stars
2025-10-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-11 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-18 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-25 18:00 - 19:00 and 3 more dates

I AM: The Student Experience
2025-10-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Space Just for You

Need space to relax, reflect, and revive? We’ve got space for you. Come on out to Morehead Planetarium for an evening of wonder under the stars. GRAMMY®-nominated and award-winning artist, vocalist, pianist and composer Radhika Vekaria will take you on an unforgettable journey through the cosmos as she blends her amazing vocals and musicality with real and awe-inspiring imagery of our universe. If you attended Radhika’s performance in March 2025, you’ll want to come back and bring that friend who needs to experience this! Radhika will again showcase the music and imagery from the short immersive film I AM, then invite some special guests to talk about what it means to be in awe and wonder—and how these experiences support both body and mind. Finally, she will close out the program with a second live performance of her latest recordings. Stay for an exclusive meet-and-greet along with refreshments after the show. This space is absolutely for you.

RSVP on Heel Life

I AM: The Student Experience is free and open to UNC students with CLE credit available; RSVP is encouraged. This event is brought to you in partnership by UNC Student Wellness, UNC’s Parr Center for Ethics, and Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in support of UNC community wellness. UNC Student Affairs will be on hand with resources promoting healthy wellbeing and fun giveaways.

Teen Science Cafe: Healing Lahaina
2025-10-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Please join us at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for October’s Teen Science Cafe! In this session, we’ll be screening the documentary film Healing Lahaina, which addresses community advocacy and climate resilience through the personal experiences of survivors of Maui’s 2023 wildfires. Open to teens ages 13-18, our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!Doors will open at 6:00 pm for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:30 pm and wrap up around 7:30 pm.

Learn more about Teen Science Cafe

Program Schedule

6:00 pm: Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

6:00 – 6:30 pm: Pizza social. The pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Discussion & activities. The screening will take place in the Science Stage.

Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

I AM: The Sound of Light Experience
2025-10-24 19:00 - 21:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Leave the kids at home. This event is for adults 21+!

Join us for a private, unforgettable evening under the stars at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. We are thrilled to welcome back GRAMMY®-nominated and award-winning artist, vocalist, pianist and composer Radhika Vekaria to Morehead’s fulldome theater. Radhika’s soul-stirring melodies and the raw power of her voice, combined with real imagery of our place in space, create an alchemy of music, presence, and wonder. This exclusive event includes a live performance choreographed with immersive imagery of the cosmos.

Get Tickets

Tickets

Early Bird discount: $60 (available until October 10, 2025)

Regular ticket price: $75 (after October 10, 2025)

Member price: $60

Cocktail attire is suggested.

What’s included with your ticket

Access to Morehead exhibits

Light hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages

One drink ticket (Prosecco)

I AM screening + performance

Food and drinks are available until the performance begins at 8:00 pm.

Please note: No one under the age of 21 will be allowed into the event. IDs will be verified.

Get Tickets

Refund/Cancellation Policy

All ticket sales are final; refunds are not available for absent guests or unused tickets. Purchased tickets may be transferred to another guest 21+ for admission. However, requests for transfer must be made no later than the day prior to the date on the original ticket. Requests for transfer on or after the date of the original ticket are not accommodated. Morehead reserves the right to waive part or all of this refund policy if the event is cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected circumstances.
This is a 21+ event. No one under the age of 21 will be allowed into the event; IDs will be verified.

Code of Conduct

By entering Morehead or participating in our programs, guests acknowledge and agree to adhere to Morehead’s posted Code of Conduct.

Science for All: A Sensory-Friendly Science Night
2025-11-02 17:00 - 19:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Experience the wonders of science in a sensory-friendly environment!

On Sunday, November 2, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will host a special event featuring interactive activities, an engaging fulldome theater show, captivating exhibits, and dynamic science performances. With changes made to fit various sensory sensitivities, this event is perfect for all ages and offers a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy science.

Learn More

Carolina Science Cafe: Balancing Act
2025-11-04 18:00 - 19:00
Balancing Act: The Science of Pain, Fatigue, and Falls in Aging

Now is the time for innovation in our efforts to engineer solutions to help people age gracefully – from preserving independence and enhancing community accessibility to preventing falls. In this talk, Dr. Jason Franz, a professor of biomedical engineering, will summarize the latest in the UNC Applied Biomechanics Laboratory’s use of principles from neural control, biomechanics, wearable sensing, and rehabilitation robotics to solve one of our society’s grand challenges.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe is a free program that explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Dr. Jason Franz (he/him) received his B.S. (2004) and M.S. (2006) degrees in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech and, after serving as a staff scientist in PM&R at the University of Virginia, received his Ph.D. (2012) in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He then completed an NIH Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2015, Dr. Franz joined the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University and is now a Full Professor and Director of the UNC Applied Biomechanics Laboratory.

Dr. Franz’s research takes a mechanisms-based approach in rehabilitation engineering to develop solutions to help people age gracefully. He is the author of over 150 publications and currently serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded research projects, all predominantly focused on rehabilitation engineering strategies to mitigate age- and disease-related mobility impairment and falls risk. He also serves as Faculty Director for Postdoctoral Success, where he supports the success, recruitment, and workforce development of postdoctoral trainees across the UNC School of Medicine.

View Dr. Franz’s Work

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Meteor Mixer
2025-11-15 20:00 - 23:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Dance under the stars!

On Saturday, November 15, join us for an out-of-this-world night of dancing in our fulldome theater. With a DJ spinning a stellar lineup of music, hors d’oeuvres, and a selection of beer and wine, the Meteor Mixer is the perfect time to experience Morehead like never before.

Leave the kids at home. This event is for adults 21+!

Purchase tickets

What’s Included

Access to Morehead’s exhibits, Launch Lab, and fulldome theater dance party

Hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages

Two drink tickets (selection of beer and wine)

Pricing/Discounts

Early Bird discount: $25 (available until October 20, 2025)

The discount will appear once tickets are added to your cart.

Regular ticket price: $30 (after October 20, 2025)

Member price: $25

Food and drinks are available from 8 pm – 10 pm. Dancing in the dome is from 9 pm – 11 pm.

This is a 21+ event. No one under the age of 21 will be allowed into the event. IDs will be verified.

Purchase tickets

Skywatching at Little River Regional Park
2025-11-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Little River Regional Park, 301 Little River Park Way, Rougemont, North Carolina, 27572, United States
Join Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society (CHAOS) for skywatching at Little River Regional Park! On this night, we’ll be focusing on Saturn’s nearly edge-on rings.

This is an informal session, so you can arrive and leave at any time during the program. However, if you plan to attend, we suggest bringing a blanket or chairs and some snacks so you can relax under the stars.

We ask that you leave all pets at home, even those on a leash. Darkness, lots of people, expensive telescopes, and pets are a bad combination. Pets will not be permitted near the telescopes.

Please note that this event is weather-dependent. In the event of a cancellation, we will provide updates on our website and social media.

Have more questions about skywatching? Visit our FAQs page!

Skywatching FAQs

Saturday Science Sparks: Stellar Gaming with UNC’s Young Worlds Lab
2026-01-10 13:00 - 16:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Explore with the experts during Saturday Science Sparks

Want to think like an astronomer? In our first-ever Saturday Science Sparks, UNC’s Young Worlds Lab will be in the Hidden Lives of Stars exhibit—ready to explore the cosmos with you! These astronomers, featured in the exhibit, will take visitors of all ages on their journey of discovery. Study the stars, ask questions, try science tools, and leave inspired!

Located at the Hidden Lives of Stars exhibit in the Polaris Gallery.

MORE is happening at Morehead this year

New for 2026, Saturday Science Sparks offers Morehead guests a closer encounter with current science. Covering topics like astronomy, the physics of juggling, and computer science, this program collaborates with community partners and academic clubs, bringing you up-close experiences in the exciting world of STEAM. Saturday Science Sparks is open to the public and included in admission. Mark your calendars for the second Saturday of each month!

Saturday Science Sparks: The Science of Puppy Love
2026-02-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
(Megan Mendenhall / Office of Research Communications)

Can humans love robotic dogs?

This Valentine’s Day, experience puppy love with Spot, UNC-Chapel Hill’s very own robot dog! Take the reigns and bring this computerized canine to “life,” while discovering the inner workings of how it moves and “thinks.” With the help of UNC’s Experimental Engineering Lab (EEL) and the Interactive Robotics and Novel Technologies (IRON) Lab, you’ll be able to explore how scientists and engineers craft robots to engage with the world. Join us as these incredible labs share their work, answer your burning questions, and offer a behind-the-scenes look at life as a scientist!

Located in the Ivan R. King Gateway Gallery.

MORE is happening at Morehead this year

New for 2026, Saturday Science Sparks offers Morehead guests a closer encounter with current science. Covering topics like astronomy, the physics of juggling, and computer science, this program collaborates with community partners and academic clubs, bringing you up-close experiences in the exciting world of STEAM. Saturday Science Sparks is open to the public and included in admission. Mark your calendars for the second Saturday of each month!

Learn more about Saturday Science Sparks

Science for All Summit
2026-02-19 08:00 - 2026-02-20 15:00 | Friday Conference Center, 100 Friday Center Dr, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517, United States
Turn Motivation into Action

Are you a student, educator, or other change agent? The fourth annual Science for All Summit returns this year on February 19 and 20! Produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, this two-day Summit offers engaging conversations, workshops, and sessions focused on access and opportunity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

At the Summit, we will provide opportunities to share new research findings, exchange resources, discuss strategies, and demonstrate effective practices and interventions. The 2026 program will include keynote addresses by Dr. Connie Locklear, Dr. Jessica Hernandez, and Dr. Sarina Saturn.

Learn more about the Summit

Skywatching at Little River Regional Park
2026-02-21 18:30 - 20:30 | Little River Regional Park, 301 Little River Park Way, Rougemont, North Carolina, 27572, United States
Nothing goes together like a space enthusiast and a telescope! On Saturday, February 21, join Morehead staff and volunteers from Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society (CHAOS) for awe-inspiring views of the night sky. With the help of our astronomy educators, you can catch close-up views of the waxing crescent moon and peeks of Jupiter.

This informal session is free and open to the public. You are welcome to arrive and leave at any time during the program. To make the most of your night, we suggest bringing along a cozy blanket or some chairs and your favorite snacks for a relaxing time.

For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, please leave your pets at home, even if they’re on a leash. The combination of darkness, crowds, expensive telescopes, and pets isn’t ideal, and pets won’t be allowed near the telescopes.

Please note that this event is weather-dependent. In the event of a cancellation, we will provide updates on our website and social media. We can’t wait to share the wonders of the night sky with you!

Have more questions about skywatching? Visit our FAQs page!

Skywatching FAQs

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.

Science for All Youth Summit
2026-03-07 09:00 - 12:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Explore STEM in new and exciting ways!

Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 9 AM – 12:30 PM

Registration closes on March 1

Join us for a fun-filled day of STEM exploration! Designed for students in grades 4–7 from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds, the Science for All Youth Summit offers hands-on activities led by college students from UNC‑Chapel Hill, NC State, and Duke. Past favorites include microscope discoveries, lemon-powered circuits, and biomechanics challenges.

Registration includes lunch, swag, and an event t‑shirt.

Thanks to the generous support of Gilead Sciences, this program remains accessible for families.

Come experiment, create, and discover something new!

Register for the Youth Summit today! Registration is open until March 1.

Learn more about the Youth Summit

Saturday Science Sparks — The Science of Attention: Juggling 101
2026-03-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Via Instagram, @juggling.club.unc

The Science of Attention: Juggling 101

Too many balls in the air? Join the Juggling Club of Carolina and the Educating for the Virtues of Attention initiative as they demonstrate the math, physics, focus, and fun behind juggling. On top of helping us keep our eyes (and minds) on the ball, this Saturday Science Sparks session offers a hands-on, in-motion opportunity for the whole family! Only at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

Schedule

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Located in the Ivan R. King Gateway Gallery

Please note: there will be a midday break as the club members juggle their schedules.

MORE is happening at Morehead this year

New for 2026, Saturday Science Sparks offers Morehead guests a closer encounter with current science. Covering topics like astronomy, the physics of juggling, and computer science, this program collaborates with community partners and academic clubs, bringing you up-close experiences in the exciting world of STEAM. Saturday Science Sparks is open to the public and included in admission.

Skywatching: Art in Bloom Skygazing Community Day
2026-03-14 19:30 - 21:30 | North Carolina Museum of Art — Museum Park, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607
Interpreting the zodiac element of air

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is excited to serve as a Community Activation Partner for Art in Bloom, an annual experience by the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA). In harmony with this year’s zodiac theme, we’re highlighting the element of air with a free evening of skywatching in the NCMA Museum Park.

On Saturday, March 14, join us for guided stargazing led by Morehead educators, constellation‑inspired activities, and an outdoor floral installation crafted by Raleigh’s Bloom Works. This special night brings together art and astronomy for a beautiful, family‑friendly experience under the open sky. Complimentary Art in Bloom giveaways will be offered while supplies last. The floral installation will remain on view through March 18.

Online registration opens March 1 on the NCMA website. We look forward to celebrating the cosmos with you!

Learn more

Before You Go: Helpful Tips & Important Details

To make the most of your evening under the stars, we suggest bringing a cozy blanket or some chairs. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home, even if they’re on a leash. The combination of darkness, crowds, expensive telescopes, and pets isn’t ideal, and pets won’t be allowed near the telescopes.

Please note that this event is weather-dependent. In the event of a cancellation, we will provide updates on our website and social media. We can’t wait to share the wonders of the night sky with you!

Have more questions about skywatching? Visit our FAQs page!

Skywatching FAQs

Skywatching at Little River Regional Park
2026-03-20 20:00 - 22:00 | Little River Regional Park, 301 Little River Park Way, Rougemont, North Carolina, 27572, United States
Celebrate the first day of spring with awe-inspiring views of the sky! On Friday, March 20, hang out under the stars with Morehead educators and volunteers from Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society (CHAOS). In this free skywatching session, you can catch Jupiter via telescope or binoculars!

To make the most of your night, we suggest bringing along a cozy blanket or some chairs and your favorite snacks for a relaxing time. You are welcome to arrive and leave at any time during the program.

For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, please leave your pets at home, even if they’re on a leash. The combination of darkness, crowds, expensive telescopes, and pets isn’t ideal, and pets won’t be allowed near the telescopes.

Please note that this event is weather-dependent. In the event of a cancellation, we will provide updates on our website and social media. We can’t wait to share the wonders of the night sky with you!

Have more questions about skywatching? Visit our FAQs page!

Skywatching FAQs

Artemis II Viewing Event
2026-04-01 18:00 - 20:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
(Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky)

To the Moon with NASA’s Artemis II

Astronauts are preparing to return to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years! As part of the Artemis II mission, crewmembers Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, Jeremy Hansen, and North Carolina-raised Christina Koch are set to embark on a 10-day journey around the Moon with a target launch date of April 1, 2026.

To celebrate, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will host a special Artemis II launch viewing event before Starry Nights: Spring Skies, our special planetarium show for teen and adult learners. Exclusive to Starry Nights ticketholders, this special event is available at no additional charge and is subject to change due to weather and safety at the launch site.

Get Starry Nights tickets

Know Before You Go

NASA may postpone the Artemis II launch due to adverse weather conditions and safety concerns, which could result in the cancellation of the Morehead viewing event. The launch window opens on April 1, 2026, at 6:24 p.m. EDT, at which the launch can occur anytime within the next two hours. Learn more about NASA’s April mission availability.

In the event that the launch overlaps with the start of Starry Nights: Spring Skies (scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. on April 1, 2026), we will finish cheering on the Artemis II before heading to the fulldome theater for the planetarium show.

The Artemis II viewing event at Morehead Planetarium is subject to change based on updates to the official launch schedule. In the event of a postponed launch, Starry Nights: Spring Skies will proceed as scheduled at 7 p.m.

Enjoy this video of Artemis II’s Christina Koch from Morehead’s 75th anniversary (2024).

Saturday Science Sparks: Migration
2026-05-02 10:00 - 15:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Credit: The Avian Society at UNC-Chapel Hill

The Science of Migration

Calling All Bird Brains: Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at Morehead

In this Saturday Science Sparks session, explore the wonders of winged migration through the tools of a bird researcher! With the help of UNC’s Sockman Lab, the UNC Avian Society, and the New Hope Bird Alliance, you’ll get the chance to help the scientists uncover how the Earth’s seasons impact a bird’s journey, discover the diverse bird species of North Carolina, and talk with Gloria Gao ’27, Founder of the Avian Society, as you engage in hands-on activities and learn how to become a community scientist for the benefit of birds (and people!).

Included with paid admission and located in the Launch Lab.

Schedule

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Please note: there will be a midday break.

MORE is happening at Morehead this year

New for 2026, Saturday Science Sparks offers Morehead guests a closer encounter with current science. Covering topics like astronomy, the physics of juggling, and computer science, this program collaborates with community partners and academic clubs, bringing you up-close experiences in the exciting world of STEAM. Saturday Science Sparks is open to the public and included in admission.

Credit: New Hope Bird Alliance
