Carolina Skies
2026-03-14 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-03-15 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-03-21 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-03-22 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-03-28 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-03-29 16:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)

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

We Are Stars
2026-03-15 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-03-22 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-03-29 13:30 - 14:30

Supermassive Black Holes
2026-03-15 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-22 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-29 15:00 - 16:00

Messengers of Time & Space
2026-03-20 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-27 15:00 - 16:00

One Sky, Many Eyes
2026-03-20 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-03-27 16:30 - 17:30

Teen Science Cafe: Visualizing Space
2026-03-20 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 March’s Teen Science Cafe! More details on this month’s speaker will be available at a later date.

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. 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.

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

Magic Tree House Space Mission
2026-03-21 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-28 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-04 10:30 - 11:30

Star Families: The Moon
2026-03-21 12:00 - 13:00

Astronaut
2026-03-21 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-03-28 13:30 - 14:30

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
2026-03-21 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-28 15:00 - 16:00

Cosmic Colors
2026-03-28 12:00 - 13:00

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).

Starry Nights: Spring SKies
2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:30
