Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

We Are Stars
2025-07-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-23 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-25 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-30 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-01 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-06 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-08 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) and 15 more dates

Skywatching: International Observe the Moon Night | Observación del cielo: Noche Internacional de Observación de la Luna
2025-10-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Peach Road Cultural Center, 911 Ileagnes Rd, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603, United States
Join Morehead Planetarium, Raleigh Parks, Raleigh Astronomy Club, and Consulado General de Mexico for a special skywatching event on International Observe the Moon Night! Learn about the Moon, constellations, and the planets in our Solar System through telescopes and other fun activities.

Skywatching will take place at Peach Road Park in Raleigh. 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.

Learn more about skywatching events

Únase al Planetario Morehead, Parques de Raleigh, el Club de Astronomía de Raleigh y Consulado General de México para un evento especial de observación del cielo en la Noche Internacional de Observación de la Luna. Aprende sobre la Luna, las constelaciones y los planetas de nuestro Sistema Solar a través de telescopios y otras actividades divertidas.

La observación del cielo se llevará a cabo en Peach Road Park en Raleigh. Esta es una sesión informal, por lo que puede llegar y salir en cualquier momento durante el programa. Sin embargo, si planea asistir, te sugerimos traer una manta o sillas y algunos bocadillos para que puedas relajarte bajo las estrellas.

Le pedimos que deje a todas las mascotas en casa, incluso a las que llevan correa. La oscuridad, mucha gente, los telescopios caros y las mascotas son una mala combinación. No se permitirán mascotas cerca de los telescopios.

Tenga en cuenta que este evento depende del clima. En caso de cancelación, proporcionaremos actualizaciones en nuestro sitio web y redes sociales.

Aprende más sobre observaciones del cielo

Carolina Science Cafe: Stellar Evolution, Interrupted
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Stellar Evolution, Interrupted

(Credit: Stocktrek Images/Getty Images)

Open up any introductory astronomy textbook, and you can read about how stars like the Sun evolve from one stage of stellar evolution to the next. However, these textbook descriptions often overlook one important fact: most stars are in binary systems with other stellar or substellar companions, and their presence can greatly impact how the story of stellar evolution plays out.

In October’s Carolina Science Cafe, Dr. Brad Barlow, an Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy at UNC-Chapel Hill, will discuss how his research group uses data from ground- and space-based observatories to discover and characterize special types of stars called hot subdwarfs that are the products of binary interactions. The broader impacts of this work touch on gravitational wave physics, Type Ia supernovae, the impact of late-stage stellar evolution on exoplanets, and more.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe 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. Brad Barlow (he/him) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before that, he spent 11 years working as an Associate Professor of Astrophysics and Director of the Culp Planetarium at High Point University. Dr. Barlow received a B.S. in physics from Mississippi State University in 2006, a Ph.D. in physics (astronomy concentration) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011, and he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Pennsylvania State University from 2011-2013.

His research primarily focuses on pulsating stars, late stellar evolution, and binary star systems. While at UNC-Chapel Hill, he helped develop software for the Goodman spectrograph on the 4.1-m SOAR telescope on Cerro Pachon in Chile. Originally from Biloxi, Mississippi, Brad did his undergraduate studies at Mississippi State University. His other interests include playing the piano, writing music, cycling, and public outreach.

View Dr. Barlow’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!

Thank Your Lucky Stars - On PBS NC
2025-10-09 20:00 - 21:00
Discover the story of how Apollo Era-astronauts trained at Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill. Tune in at 8 PM on October 9 to watch on PBS NC.

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.

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.

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
