The Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium Located on Chicago's lake, The Adler Planetarium is the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.
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The Adler Planetarium is the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere! Located on Chicago’s lakeshore, the museum typically hosts more than half a million visitors each year and reaches millions more through youth STEAM programs, neighborhood skywatching events, people-powered research, and other outreach efforts. Today, the Adler is bringing our unique approach—scientific exploration rooted in community and connection—to guests from around the world who can enjoy the digital Adler from their own homes, libraries, schools or offices.

10/10/2026

Chicago Marathon weekend is here! 🏃‍♀️

From sweaty selfies during training on the Adler's lakefront, to running 26.2 miles to cross over the finish line, we’re cheering on every runner taking on this epic feat this weekend.

Reach for the stars, Chicago! We’ll be rooting for you all the way. 💫

⭐ We’re thrilled to co-present the new documentary, Carl Sagan: We Are Made of Star Stuff, at the 62nd ! The Adler's ver...
10/09/2026

⭐ We’re thrilled to co-present the new documentary, Carl Sagan: We Are Made of Star Stuff, at the 62nd !

The Adler's very own Michelle Welch will be participating in the Q&A. Join us for the October 24 & 25 screenings!

10/08/2026

If World Space Week has you wondering, "What actually IS space? Is it a thing? Or is it what happens when you take all the things away?," the Adler Planetarium is here to help.

Need more mind-melting space facts in your life? 🤯 Visit the Adler and chat with our astrophysicists at Astronomy Conversations! While you're here, check out our newest original dome show, The Universe Explained (Live). 🚀

10/05/2026

Happy World Space Week! 🪐

Space scientists need YOU to help explore our universe! Visit zooniverse.org to join real research projects designed by people like Doctors Mike, Giacamo, and Cliff here, who would love your help hunting for gravitational waves, understanding clouds on Mars, and finding comets captured by the Rubin Observatory!

09/30/2026

Where's our Moon base? 🌕

We asked Adler astrophysicist Dr. Geza Gyuk a question that seems surprisingly overdue: We've already been to the Moon several times, so why don't we have a Moon base yet?

Something special happened at the Adler last Saturday.On September 19, we held Celestial Bash: To the Moon and Beyond—th...
09/27/2026

Something special happened at the Adler last Saturday.

On September 19, we held Celestial Bash: To the Moon and Beyond—the Adler Planetarium’s annual fundraiser. The room was full of people who care deeply about the future of space exploration and who want to be part of it. We celebrated alongside our honoree ITW, heard from former NASA Chief Scientist and astronaut John Grunsfeld, and stepped inside a full-dome immersive spaceship experience unlike anything else in Chicago.

Celestial Bash raised more than $1 million for the people, science, and programs powering our mission. Whether you joined us in person or supported us from home, this event wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you for being part of our orbit. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.

September 26 brings us the full Harvest Moon, named for the time of year when farmers used to use the light of the full ...
09/26/2026

September 26 brings us the full Harvest Moon, named for the time of year when farmers used to use the light of the full Moon to harvest their summer crops. Saturn will be visible for the following 2 nights near the Moon, as well! 🌕🌾

09/25/2026

When galaxies interact, their gravity can pull stars and gas outward into long tails, thin streams, broad fans, and delicate shells. These tidal features are physical debris from the encounter, and they’re some of the clearest signs that galaxies have influenced or collided with one another!

Visit zooniverse.org today to become a volunteer and help astronomers (like Hayley) classify important data and unlock the mysteries of the universe!

09/23/2026

Why are galaxies shaped like pizzas? 🍕

We asked Adler astrophysicist Dr. Shanika Galaudage a question about one of the universe’s most recognizable shapes: why do so many galaxies form into flat, spinning discs?

What causes all that cosmic matter to flatten out—and why do galaxies like our Milky Way end up looking a little like a giant pizza in space?

09/22/2026

🍂Visit the Adler Planetarium this fall and enjoy the beauty of our home on Northerly Island! Just south of our building is a beach, the tranquil trails of Northerly Island Park, and the best hillside in Chicago. In the fall, you can enjoy views of the skyline, the lake, and the changing colors of the native grasses and flowers of Illinois. Add us to your fall bucket list today!🌙

Address

1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL
60605

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 4pm - 10pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+13129227827

Website

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