Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium

Full moon over UAF campus

A planetarium is coming to Fairbanks!

The Walt and Marita Planetarium will be the farthest north planetarium in North America. Construction is underway on the museum's west end! The planetarium is a joint effort of the UAMN and the Geophysical Institute at UAF. 

The planetarium is slated to open in spring 2026. 

What to expect:

  • Immersive 360 degree theatre experience.

  • Shows and programming for students, the community, and guests!

 

What?

65-seat theatre housed in an 11 meter dome. 

*Astro-Tec fulldome at an 18-degree tilt
*Sky-Skan DigitalSky Dark Matter science visualization software
*4K image using 2x Sony laser projectors 
*5.1 immersive sound system
*Install by SSIA Technologies

Where?

At the UA Museum of the North.

Work on the addition to the museum's west side has begun. 

When?

Opening to the public in Spring 2026!

Show schedules and opportunities for classes to come.

 

More: 

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 aurora over Poker Flat Rocket Research Range  Sunset on west side of museum Children in front of a projected starry sky

 

Top of page image: UAF photo by Todd Paris, 2014. Bottom images, left to right: Aurora over the Poker Flat Research Range, NASA Goddard /Terry Zaperach.  Sunset and UAMN, UAF photo by Maureen McCombs. Space Camp at UAMN, UAMN photo by E. Padilla.