Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

The Longest Night: A Winter's Tale
2026-01-10 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-01-04 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-03 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-12-21 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-20 13:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York)

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!

Star Families: Winter Skies
2026-01-10 12:00 - 13:00

Magic Tree House Space Mission
2026-01-10 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-01-03 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-12-20 10:30 - 11:30

One Sky, Many Eyes
2026-01-09 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-01-02 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-12-19 16:30 - 17:30

Supermassive Black Holes
2026-01-09 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-03 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-02 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-19 15:00 - 16:00

Carolina Science Cafe: Are We Alone?
2026-01-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Are We Alone? Thoughts on the Fermi Paradox

Does the Cosmos teem with intelligence, or are we alone? This existential issue eats at our souls. In this talk, Dr. Brand Fortner will share how we use the Fermi Paradox, the Drake equation, the Rare Earth hypothesis, the Weak Anthropic principle, the Doomsday calculation, and the Great Filter to answer this most important of all questions.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe is a free program that explores science topics making national and international headlines, offering 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

Brand Fortner is a teaching professor at North Carolina State University, where he teaches astronomy, astrophysics, and physics, and is an adjunct professor of physics at UNC-Chapel Hill. Previously holding positions at NASA and Johns Hopkins University, Brand earned a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in high-energy astrophysics and founded two scientific software companies. Additionally, he has written books on color vision and technical data and is in high demand for his public lectures on all things astronomical.

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!

Carolina Skies
2026-01-04 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-01-03 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-12-21 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-12-20 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-12-14 16:30 - 17:30

Solar System Odyssey
2026-01-04 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-12-21 13:30 - 14:30

Messengers of Time & Space
2026-01-03 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-20 15:00 - 16:00

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
2025-12-20 12:00 - 13:00

Teen Science Cafe: Neuronal Resilience
2025-12-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Neuronal Resilience with Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for December’s Teen Science Cafe! This month, we welcome Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh, Ph.D, who will be sharing his work on how different types of cells control apoptosis (regulated cell death) and how this relates to the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

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

About Dr. Deshmukh

Mohanish Deshmukh, Ph.D. is a William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Cell Biology & Physiology and the Neuroscience Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Mohanish received his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, conducted his postdoctoral research at Washington University and joined UNC as an Assistant Professor in 2000.

Mohanish’s lab studies the programmed mechanisms by which neurons survive and die. His lab also focuses on understanding neurodevelopmental disorders as well as developing therapeutic strategies for preventing neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.

Mohanish received the Burroughs-Wellcome New Investigator Award in 2001. At UNC, Mohanish was recognized with the Teaching Excellence Award (2004) and the Mentor of the Year Award (2012). He is currently the Co-Director of the UNC MD/PhD program. His lab’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health.

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. Trivia 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.

Starry Nights: Winter Skies
2025-12-17 19:00 - 20:30
