TAMIU’s Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium Reopens

Sojourn to the stars once again as Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium opens its doors to the campus community and the general public.

Planetarium shows began Wednesday, Sept. 8 and are scheduled through the remainder of the month. View the current screening times at https://go.tamiu.edu/nowplaying.   

To maintain a safe environment for all Planetarium-goers, limited seating is currently offered. During the show, members of the same household may sit together but should ‘skip a seat’ when sitting next to other attendees outside their immediate household. Mask usage is recommended while on campus and inside the Planetarium. Facilities are sanitized between showings.

“We are excited to be showing our family-friendly, full-dome shows on Wednesday and Friday evenings and one Saturday afternoon each month. Come enjoy fascinating public shows not only on astronomy and science, but also on a wide variety of topics like dinosaurs, humpback whales, extreme weather, and many others to expand your mind and fire your imagination,” said Peter Davis, LBV Planetarium director.  

For first-time visitors, Davis welcomes attendees to enjoy this one-of-a-kind immersive experience.  

“The Planetarium features a state-of-the-art projection system that projects a video image on our whole dome immersing the audience into the subject like virtual reality. If you have not been here yet, we invite you to come and treat yourself to a fun and spectacular surround experience,” Davis noted. 

The Planetarium showcases a variety of shows for people of all ages. Families can enjoy popular, kid-themed showings like “Dinosaurs of Patagonia,” “Black Holes,” “Extreme Planets,” “Pandas,” “Accidental Astronauts” and more. Two music-themed shows including “Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon” and the “Best of Led Zeppelin” are also screening this month.

Tickets are $4 for children and $5 for adults. They are available for purchase solely at the Planetarium’s Box Office and go on sale one hour before showtime. Cash, Visa, and Mastercard are currently accepted. Shows range between 30 – 45 minutes each. 

Additional offerings are also available through the Planetarium’s On-Demand website, including a virtual guided tour of the Planetarium, and a look at constellations, planets, and other objects viewable in the current night sky. Group reservations are also available for those seeking their own screenings. More information is available at https://www.tamiu.edu/planetarium/index.shtml.

For additional information, contact the Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium at 956.326.2463, email planetarium@tamiu.edu, or visit the Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center room 373A. Visit on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/txamiu.planetarium.