Charles F. Hagar Planetarium

Interior of a planetarium with a domed projection ceiling, telescopes, and a central star projector used for astronomy presentations.

Everyone is welcome

When the planetarium is open, we offer free lunchtime shows for the SFSU community and the public. On request, and schedule permitting, we can also do shows for non-astronomy classes — but only through April 2026. For example, we have provided shows for pre-service teachers in the College of Education, math classes, journalism classes, the COSE Dean's office staff, the Human Resources office staff. We also provide shows for other colleges, and for community organizations in addition to K-12 school groups. We prefer that the size of the group be at least 20. 

Our planetarium shows are live and interactive. Since a human being is operating the equipment and talking, the shows adjust to the needs and interests of each audience. Our planetarium is relatively small so every member of the audience can be heard and has the opportunity to ask questions.

In the planetarium, we show the stars, highlight the prominent constellations, and tell their stories. We show how the stars change their position during a night and over the year. We see how the Sun rises, moves across the sky, and sets each day, and how that changes during the year and causes the seasons. We show the Moon and how its appearance and position among the stars changes during a month. We see the planets, which look like stars to the eye, and how they move against the background of stars over weeks and months. Given these objects and their motions in the sky, we also discuss various models that have been proposed throughout history to account for what we see. By comparing and evaluating these models, we have come to understand our world and our solar system.

As you plan your visit, please also review our rules and guidelines. 

Rules and guidelines

Renovations

Temporarily closed

Reminder, the planetarium is currently closed for renovations until 2027. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Public shows

The planetarium will be closing soon for renovation!  Construction is currently scheduled to begin in summer 2026. Until then we will continue to offer free lunchtime shows for the SF State community and members of the public. 

Stay tuned to learn when we will reopen and have a new schedule for public shows. 

What to do if you want to schedule a show at a different time for your group?
If you have a class or a community group that you would like to bring to the planetarium, please contact us. Tuesday mornings are most available, although other times can sometimes be accommodated.

 

School shows

The SF State Charles Hagar Planetarium has been providing free shows for school children in San Francisco and beyond since we opened in 1973. Every year we do dozens of shows for SFUSD and Bay Area school groups, for ages ranging from kindergarten to high school. 

What to do if you want a school show?
If you have a school group you would like to bring to our planetarium, please contact us. Before you come with your group, please read our rules and guidelines.

What times are available?
During the regular academic year, shows for schools are most available on Tuesday mornings. Occasionally, other times can be scheduled by special arrangement.  In Spring 2026, shows will be available though April; after that we will be shutting down for renovation and won't reopen until sometime in 2027.

What are the shows like?
For younger groups, the emphasis is on the appearance of the night sky and its changes, and the identification of famous constellations they've heard of, and their stories. The show might last 30 minutes, with a question and answer period afterwards.

For older groups, the emphasis is on understanding the reason for the changes that occur in the sky, and considering and evaluating the various models that have been used historically to explain those changes. A show might last 45 minutes, with a question and answer period afterwards.

Please note that because the shows are live and interactive, they are adjusted in real-time to the abilities and interests of the audience. Therefore, these descriptions of content and length for younger and older groups are not strict rules but are adjusted according to the audience.

Rules and guidelines

Rules

No food or drink is allowed in the planetarium. Please have water and snacks before you come in. No coffee cups, water bottles, etc.

No use of cell phones, cameras, laptops or any other screen device in the planetarium. The planetarium needs to be very dark in order for people to be able to see the stars. The stray light from even a single dimmed screen is enough to wash out the projection and spoil the show for everybody. We are very serious about this and will stop the show if there is any use of screen electronics.

Do not wear shoes or other clothing that makes flashes of light. No in-and-out access during shows. It is very distracting to the audience to have the door open and light come in. Please do your bathroom breaks before the show starts. Likewise, no late arrivals will be admitted once the show begins.

Please stay in your seats once the show starts. It will be very dark and it is not safe to move about in there in the dark. We understand the temptation to bounce in the bouncy seats, but please do not do it. It makes noise and it's hard on the seats.

Please don't talk during the show. It distracts the rest of the audience and makes it hard for them to hear what we're saying. Depending on the audience, there may be opportunity to ask questions during the show. There will certainly be a chance to ask questions before and after the show.

Guidelines

Come with questions. After the show you will have a chance to ask any astronomy-related questions you may have, whether or not they are directly related to the show.

Pay attention to what is being said. The more you listen, the more you will learn.

Think about what astronomy you know already. Think about constellations you already know. Have you seen the stars and constellations in any movies?

Remember that what we're showing you is in the real sky. Make plans to go out and look at the real sky and try to find what we've shown you.

 

Contact Us

Please connect if you have any questions or want to plan your next visit to the planetarium or observatory.