Worshipped, Feared, Understood: The Sun

For thousands of years, the Sun has shaped human destiny. Its steady rhythm of seasons sustained civilizations, while sudden eclipses inspired awe, fear, and myth. Ancient cultures worshipped it as a god, knowing their survival depended on its light and warmth. Today, we understand the Sun as a powerful, dynamic star—one capable of unleashing immense bursts of energy in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These storms can ripple across space, disrupting satellites, communications, and power grids here on Earth. Yet despite centuries of scientific progress, the Sun still holds mysteries that challenge our understanding. In this show, we journey from ancient skies to modern space missions, exploring how the Sun’s ever-changing “mood” has influenced humanity—and how close we truly are to predicting its next great outburst.

All ticket sales are final. Please use our Directions page for information on parking and getting to the planetarium.

A note that this show is not specifically designed for kids – if you are interested in a show designed for a younger audience, please consider our Introductory Astronomy for Kids options (typically on the first Wednesday or the third Saturday of each month).

Visitor note: Advance online ticket purchase is recommended. Late arrivals are not admitted.