The Charles Hayden Planetarium

Our Vision: To open minds and inspire audiences by creating one-of-a-kind immersive experiences that blend the boundaries of science, technology, and art.

On October 20, 1958, Floyd Blair of the Charles Hayden Foundation threw the switch to light the stars in New England’s first major planetarium. In the decades since, over 13 million Museum patrons have been introduced to the wonders of the universe at the Charles Hayden Planetarium.  

Today, the Planetarium is a truly unique facility unmatched in its versatility and range of programming. By day, the domed theater is where the Museum shares with its schools and visitors the beauty and mystery of the cosmos through a multitude of live, interactive presentations and award-winning fulldome feature shows produced in-house by Planetarium staff. And by night, the venue transforms into an intimate theatrical space that welcomes artists, musicians, and creative innovators to envision new possibilities and create powerful shared experiences for adult and nightlife-loving audiences.  

The team at the heart of the Charles Hayden Planetarium consists of educators, artists, and producers who are all seasoned storytellers, experienced in reaching out to audiences of all ages. We love science and we love sharing it. Our ideas, visual worlds, and original music flow seamlessly together into rich experiences that evoke wonder as they engage and thrill audiences.