Public shows begin with a general introduction to the night sky, including famous Greco-Roman constellations and apparent motions of celestial objects, followed by an in-depth presentation on the particular theme of the public show. All shows are live and interactive, so you can ask a question at any time during the presentation.

Our private shows are geared toward educating the audience about Earth and its relationship to the Solar System and the rest of the Universe. Show material will depend on the age and nature of the audience. When appropriate, current events in the skies of Hamilton will be described and illustrated. Shows typically last about an hour, depending on the interest and age of the audience. Emphasis of the first section of the show is on constellations (dominated by those up at the current time of the year) including the Dippers and North Star. The second section of the show takes you on a tour of the planets in our Solar System. Along the way, other fascinating objects inside and outside of our own Galaxy are also shown if time and interest permit.

If you would like to request an alternative topic to the above private show material, please email us at planetarium@mcmaster.ca.

The planetarium is a part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and we make presentations from the best scientific evidence on hand. We also collaborate with community knowledge keepers to help co-create shows that fall outside of our Eurocentric/Western training.

Planetarium shows are given primarily by graduate students of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at McMaster and occasionally by postdoctoral fellows and faculty. Individuals interested in other astronomical pursuits in and around Hamilton can contact the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers or the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Hamilton Centre. The Children’s International Learning Centre of downtown Hamilton may be able to provide activities more appropriate for very young children.