Planetarium audience

Manfred Olson Planetarium

Connecting the community to the beauty of the night sky and wonders of the cosmos


Our Mission

We are open to the public. Join us under the night sky in our planetarium theater for one of our upcoming events or set up a private reservation.


Connect With Us on Social Media

facebook
instagram

Browse Public Events

The grid below shows the next nine events. Click here to see all upcoming events, or on the View the Entire Planetarium Calendar button below the grid.



Jean’s Corner

Dear UWM Planetarium friends,

2024 has been a year of growth for the planetarium and for me.  Not only did we break records in attendance (just shy of 23,000 visitors), but our team grew stronger with leads in production, design, publicity, and social media. We have two students who present shows in addition to me which allowed us to offer more than 450 programs.

The most exciting learning opportunity I had in 2024 was participating in a 400-level Theatre course in Directing. I had many insights, but I will mention two here: First, start thinking about the program at least a year before you perform it so you can find ways to connect the topic with the audience and bring parts of yourself to the fore. Second, a guiding principle to decide what stays and what goes from rehearsals should be that the performer and the test audience find joy in the performance (be it with props, movement, or music).

I look forward to bringing the momentum into 2025.

Hope to see you soon under the stars,

Jean

Book Private Events

Book a private show for up to 63 people in our planetarium! 
Learn more
Share a unique experience with your students for as little as $75!
Book your trip

UWM resides on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and Menominee homelands along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee, and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida, and Mohican nations remain present.