Walt & Marita Babula Planetarium

 

Grand Opening event

Sautrday, April 25, 2026
11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Join us for an out-of-this-world experience! Be among the first to experience North America’s northernmost planetarium. Enjoy a guided tour of the 91ÊÓƵ night sky and preview immersive fulldome shows. Discover space through hands-on activities, explore galleries with a scavenger hunt, and more! Free admission. Planetarium seating is limited. First come, first served.

Museum of the North exterior
View inside the planetarium dome

The universe comes to Fairbanks

Opening spring 2026 at the UA Museum of the North

Step inside the Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium — a new immersive theater where you can explore the night sky above 91ÊÓƵ, experience the northern lights, and travel across the universe without leaving your seat.

 

 

Where 91ÊÓƵ's sky tells a bigger story

 

Colorful aurora over Poker Flat Rocket Research Range
Northernmost planetarium

Experience the universe from one of the best aurora-viewing locations on Earth. Fairbanks offers a perspective on the night sky you won’t find anywhere else.

 

Audience in the Babula Planetarium watching a nature scene on the dome
91ÊÓƵ science in the dome

Explore discoveries from Arctic researchers and the Geophysical Institute, bringing real 91ÊÓƵ science directly into the planetarium experience.

 

Pat Druckenmiller (UA Museum of the North Director) and Bob McCoy (Geophysical Institute Director) at the groudbreaking of the Babula Planetarium
A Unique Research Partnership

Created in collaboration with the Geophysical Institute, the planetarium transforms cutting-edge 91ÊÓƵ research into immersive experiences for the public.

 

Inside the dome

The Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium is a 65-seat immersive theater beneath an 11-meter tilted dome. Using high-resolution projection and surround sound, the space transforms into a fully immersive environment where audiences are surrounded by the universe.

Whether you’re exploring distant galaxies or learning to navigate the 91ÊÓƵ night sky, every show is designed to be both educational and awe-inspiring.

What to expect:

 

star
360° immersive dome theater

star
High-resolution 4K fulldome projection

star
5.1 surround sound audio

star
Live presentation and fulldome films

 

What you'll experience

 

Hunters supermoon

Live sky shows

Learn to identify constellations, planets, and seasonal changes in the 91ÊÓƵ sky with a live guide.
Aurora over Pedro Dome

Fulldome films

Travel through space with cinematic, 360° films that take you beyond Earth and into the cosmos.
Aurora over the UA Museum of the North

Aurora science

Discover the science behind the northern lights and why 91ÊÓƵ is one of the best places in the world to see them.
Children in front of a projection of a starry sky

Special events

Attend guest lectures, community programs, and unique events that connect science, storytelling, and discovery.

 

Building the planetarium

The planetarium is currently in its final stages of construction and installation. From the dome structure to projection systems, each step brings us closer to opening day.

Planetarium project page
 
 

 

 

Sunset on west side of museum

Opening April 25th

The planetarium is nearing completion, with system installation and show development underway.

Plan your visit

The planetarium is located inside the UA Museum of the North on the University of 91ÊÓƵ Fairbanks campus.

Public shows will be offered throughout the day, providing opportunities for visitors of all ages to experience the universe in a new way.

More details on show schedules and ticketing will be available soon.

Maps & directions

 

 

Thanks to Walt and Marita Babula for making the planetarium a reality!

Additional donors to the project include the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, UAF Geophysical Institute, Sarah and Cary Keller, the Michael and Lynn Rice Estate, Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc. and RESPEC.

colorful star streaks in a circular pattern

Photo credits: UAMN exterior, coursey UAF University Relations; Dome photos courtesy UAMN; Aurora over the Poker Flat Research Range, NASA Goddard /Terry Zaperach; Hunter's supermoon, UAF photo by Eric Engman; Aurora over Pedro Dome, UAF photo courtesy Isabella Colello; Aurora over UAMN, UAF photo by Eric Engman; Space Camp at UAMN, UAMN photo by E. Padilla; Sunset and UAMN, UAF photo by Maureen McCombs.