Annual conference of astronomers of all types, from novice to professional, featuring presentations, displays, and observing. Includes Dennis Hands Memorial Astro-imaging Contest with categories for Deep Sky, Solar System, and Other. Contest limited to 3 images per person taken since March 2024. No registration required, just sign in upon arrival.

The New Jersey State Museum hosts NJ State employees for Take Your Child to Work Day featuring multiple planetarium shows: 12:00 PM - The Great Solar System Adventure (grades 2-6), 1:00 PM - We Are Guardians about climate monitoring satellites (grades 4+), 2:00 PM - Messengers of Time and Space about observatories (grades 6+), 3:00 PM - One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure Sesame Street show (grades 2 and younger). Each show is 50 minutes long. Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Reserved for NJ State employees in Trenton area only. Request tickets for one showtime only.

Take a journey through observatories used by professional astronomers in the gorgeous mountains of Chile, one of the best astronomical observing locations on Earth. Our planetarium is transformed into a giant observatory dome as astronomers investigate the Solar System and the distant observable Universe. Visit with the technicians from an array of STEM disciplines who build, maintain, and operate these huge instruments. Recommended for: Families and all ages. Length: 27 minutes. All tickets are open seating. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Online registration closes 4:00PM on 5/22. Walk-ins welcome, dependent on availability - Exact cash only accepted. Food/drink and strollers are not allowed in the Planetarium. Parking passes required for FSU campus.

A fast-paced, three-day program running from Wednesday to Friday, 4 pm to 10 pm! Designed for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, this condensed format delivers all the excitement of astronomical research. Through hands-on experiments, nighttime observing, and real data collection, campers step into the role of a scientist. Students will learn how to navigate the night sky, operate telescopes and other scientific instruments. Activities include team-building, hiking, drawing, playing games, and learning about instruments used in Astronomical Photography.

Lighting Our Way - Campers will construct spectrometers and participate in exciting activities to learn about the electromagnetic spectrum. Other activities will include hiking, drawing, playing games, and more. This camp runs July 6-10, 2026 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm daily for grades 5-6 (ages 10-12).