Welcome to The Eye Planetarium at the Science Museum of Western Virginia–Roanoke’s premiere planetarium.
Here, with a full dome, theater, and state-of-the-art creative technologies, art and science are in constant interplay to enrich experiences both educational and entertaining.
Under the dome, the mysteries of the cosmos come alive–from microorganisms to magnetic fields, from sound waves to light spectrums–all becomes visible to the naked eye.
Our planetarium offers a variety of shows and interactive experiences, including breathtaking astronomical journeys, immersive full-dome films, educational programs tailored to all ages, and special events and series. Our state-of-the-art technology ensures each visit is unique, making The Eye a must-visit destination for families, educators, and anyone curious about the universe.
From Past to Present
The Science Museum of Western Virginia’s Eye Planetarium reopened in February 2024 following a ten-year development and renovation project. The redefined planetarium is a venue unlike any other on the east coast, where innovative advances in technology intersect with ultramodern visual arts.
The Eye offers something for everyone with daily public shows, special events, premiere events, and private rentals. With a dual projection system capable of rendering vivid imagery and an immersive full dome screen, the space is designed to transform any given moment into an experience.
Schedule
Stay for a show at The Eye Planetarium, open Tuesday through Sunday. During the month of May, the Eye offers two public daily shows Tuesday through Friday at 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM, three daily shows on Saturday at 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:30 PM, and one show on Sunday at 3:30 PM, with the exception of closures and special events.*
Admission to standard public daily shows can be obtained through purchase of a museum ticket.
Tickets for premiere and special event content will be available in advance. Be sure to visit our social media and website for latest show and event schedules, as our lineup is always evolving with new and exciting experiences.
*If the Eye is closed for a private event, advance notice will be posted on our website and social media. Please see our “Events” page under the “Visit” tab to check the latest calendar for closures and events.
Additionally, The Eye warmly welcomes school groups every Tuesday to Friday morning. Schools and private groups interested in exploring the universe with us can arrange their exclusive experience by contacting scheduler@smwv.org. Prepare for an astronomical adventure at The Eye.
Upcoming Special & Premiere Event Tickets
The Eye special events can typically be expected to be held on Friday evenings at 6 PM or later. Special events are full dome experiences with works created in-house by The Eye creative team. Advanced ticket purchases can be made below to reserve a seat. Premiere content features full dome experiences in partnership with local artists, researchers, organizations, and groups. Updates regarding premiere events will be provided well in advance to ensure your access.
May 2nd | 3:30 PM
FREE Student Exhibition Screening:
"Ocean Eye" Join us on Friday, May 2nd for a special student exhibition screening of the short-form animation “Ocean Eye.”
Created as a collaboration between students in 3D animation and sound design courses this semester, “Ocean Eye” is an immersive exploration of the underwater world.
Stop by the Eye in place of our standard planetarium show to attend the screening and an accompanying artist talk by the students behind this work.
From Virginia Tech School of Visual Arts:
“Ocean Eye is a video and sound composition created by three classes of SOVA students in sound design and computer animation. These students modeled, rigged, and animated original sea-creature toys and created accompanying audio compositions.”
Past Events
