Planetary Alignment Party
UPDATE - At this time, cloudy skies are in the forecast that will most likely preclude viewing the alignment in our local night sky, directly. We are still open 6-10pm and encourage you to view the alignment virtually in our Acheson Planetarium or learn about the end of the dinosaurs in exploreLAB (tickets required and for purchase only at the museum during the event) or tour the observatory (free with your preregistration).
As a thank you for joining us, we are providing FREE admission to our current exhibit "The Science of Archimedes" tomorrow evening.
Additionally, our Reflections Café opens at 6pm and will be ready to serve sandwiches, wraps, treats, and hot/cold beverages!
Please note, our observatory is open every Friday evening and the alignment, although not as nice as tomorrow night, will be visible for the next few weeks. We will also open for another special viewing event on February 28 when Mercury joins the planet parade, shortly after sunset – keep an eye on our website for registration details next month.
If you have any questions, please contact us at CISReservations@cranbrook.edu.
Saturday, January 25 | 6:00 to 10:00pm
You’re invited to join Cranbrook Institute of Science astronomers and members of the Warren Astronomical Society as they guide you through an out-of-this-world planetary alignment that will grace our skies on Saturday, January 25!
Are you wondering what a planetary alignment is? This celestial phenomenon, also known as a conjunction, occurs when multiple planets appear close together in the night sky from Earth's perspective—almost like they’re all hanging out together! The upcoming planetary alignment will showcase Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Neptune, and Uranus—though the last two you’ll need to use one of our telescopes to see!
Stop by our Cranbrook Observatory for a close-up view of this fascinating celestial event, grab a seat at the Acheson Planetarium to explore the night sky and learn more about planetary alignments, or chat with an astronomer about all things cosmic. It’s going to be a stellar evening you won’t want to miss!
Pre-registration is closed. Walk-ups are welcome but, due to capacity limits, are not guaranteed.
After Dark (21+ only)
Saturday, February 15 | 7:00 to 10:00pm
Fall in love with science this Valentine’s Day! Grab your partner or gather your friends for an unforgettable evening exploring love, sex, and attraction through the lens of science, history, and nature. This one-of-a-kind 21+ event is packed with lively demonstrations, spicy presentations, and interactive activities guaranteed to make your heart race.
Sip on signature cocktails, savor delicious bites (available for purchase), and immerse yourself in the experience with:
- Gladiatorial Combat: Witness epic clashes and cheer for your champion!
- Things I Can’t Say to Second Graders – Dino Edition: A mini presentation with a prehistoric twist.
- Aphrodisiacs: Fact or Fiction? Taste-test the science behind the sizzle.
- Love Trivia: Flex your knowledge of romance!
- Cupid’s Arrow: Can you hit the bullseye?
- Great Sex Scandals from History: Scandalous tales through time.
- Animals Do It Differently: Match quirky courtship rituals to their wild performers.
- Love Conquers All: Navigate the stressors of the world to protect your love.
- Love in the Greco-Roman World: Step into ancient stories of passion.
- Let the (Valentine) Games Begin: Take on your partner or friends in games of skill and strategy.
- Star-Crossed Lovers: A planetarium show written in the stars.
- To the Moon and Back: Gaze at the cosmos at our observatory.
- And more adult-only fun!
Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members, and $35 at the door (subject to availability). Pre-registration is highly recommended. Please note that tickets are non-refundable.