Challenger Series
Dec
4
to Mar 6

Challenger Series

Remembering the 40th Anniversary of the Challenger disaster: January 28, 1986-2026.  

The Christa McAuliffe Center invites multigenerational audiences to a series of conversations that will explore key formative moments in the life of Christa McAuliffe; examine the historical context of the 1986 Challenger mission; and reflect on the lessons learned from the tragedy.

Learn more about the Challenger Series

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Octave of Light by Multiverse Concert Series
Jan
31
3:00 PM15:00

Octave of Light by Multiverse Concert Series

Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Audience:  Families and all ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

Experience Octave of Light, a planetarium concert of exoplanet music. This groundbreaking show takes audiences on an immersive journey across the stars, exploring distant worlds through sight, sound and live electrosymphonic music. Purchase Tickets/ More information.

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Octave of Light by Multiverse Concert Series
Jan
31
5:30 PM17:30

Octave of Light by Multiverse Concert Series

Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 5:30PM - 6:30PM
Audience:  Ages 13+
Location: FSU Planetarium

Concert for Challenger (1986-2026). Program includes: Carina - Song written to honor Christa McAuliffe, Remembrance of the STS - 51L crew, and Octave of Light concert - a groundbreaking show takes audiences on an immersive journey across the stars, exploring distant worlds through sight, sound and live electrosymphonic music. Purchase Tickets/ More information.

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February 17: School Vacation Program
Feb
17
1:00 PM13:00

February 17: School Vacation Program

Date: Tuesday, February 17
Time: 1:00PM - 5:00PM
Audience: Grades 5-8
Location: McAuliffe Center
Activity: Destination Moon
Planetarium: Destination Mars

Destination Moon satellite challenge from the Challenger Learning Center’s Mission Control and interactive planetarium program including the Destination Mars full-dome film. For individual participants in grades 5-8 during February School Vacation. REGISTER - More information.

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February 18: School Vacation Program
Feb
18
9:00 AM09:00

February 18: School Vacation Program

Date: Wednesday, February 18
Time: 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Audience: Grades 5-8
Location: McAuliffe Center
Activity: Expedition Mars
Planetarium: Undiscovered Worlds

Expedition Mars space mission simulation in the Challenger Learning Center, including brand-new VR briefings, and interactive planetarium program including the Undiscovered Worlds full-dome film. For individual participants in grades 5-8 during February School Vacation. REGISTER - More information.

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February 19: School Vacation Program
Feb
19
9:00 AM09:00

February 19: School Vacation Program

Date: Thursday, February 19
Time: 9:00AM - 1:30PM
Audience: Grades 5-8
Location: McAuliffe Center
Activity: Be a Health Scientist!
Planetarium: Mars: The Ultimate Voyage

Be a Health Scientist! hands-on activities and interactive planetarium program including the Mars: The Ultimate Voyage full-dome film. For individual participants in grades 5-8 during February School Vacation. REGISTER - More information.

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Winter Break Planetarium Premiere: Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon
Dec
30
5:30 PM17:30

Winter Break Planetarium Premiere: Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

Date: Tuesday, December 30
Times: 5:30PM - 6:30PM
Audience: Age 13+
Location: FSU Planetarium

New to the McAuliffe Center, this show celebrates Pink Floyd’s iconic album ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’, originally released in March 1973. Join us for an evening in the planetarium to experience the Framingham McAuliffe Center’s premiere of Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon. Purchase Tickets / More Information.

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Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon
Dec
20
5:30 PM17:30

Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

EVENT SOLD OUT

Date: Saturday, December 20
Times: 5:30PM - 6:30PM AND 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Audience: Age 13+
Location: FSU Planetarium

New to the McAuliffe Center, this show celebrates Pink Floyd’s iconic album ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’, originally released in March 1973. Join us for an evening in the planetarium to experience the Framingham McAuliffe Center’s premiere of Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon. SOLD OUT / More Information.

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Public Planetarium Program: Big Astronomy
Nov
21
6:00 PM18:00

Public Planetarium Program: Big Astronomy

Date: Friday, November 21
Time: 6:00PM - 7:00PM - SOLD OUT
Audience: Families & All Ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

Join us for an evening in the planetarium to experience the planetarium film Big Astronomy. Featuring an introduction from Eloise Perna, Student, Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School. Purchase Tickets / More information.

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FSU Community Only: Spooky Skies
Oct
28
4:30 PM16:30

FSU Community Only: Spooky Skies

Date: Tuesday, October 28
Time: 4:30PM - 5:30PM
Audience: FSU Community Only
Location: FSU Planetarium

Join us for a live tour of the chilling and eerie objects in our night sky and beyond. A Halloween spectacular that is sure to frighten and excite! This program features planetarium film Undiscovered Worlds. Showtime at 4:30PM. Come in costume! More information.

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Public Planetarium Program: Spooky Skies
Oct
24
4:00 PM16:00

Public Planetarium Program: Spooky Skies

Date: Friday, October 24
Time: 4:00PM - 5:00PM AND 6:00PM - 7:00PM. 6PM Show Sold Out
Audience: Families & All Ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

Join us for a live tour of the chilling and eerie objects in our night sky and beyond. A Halloween spectacular that is sure to frighten and excite! This program features planetarium film Undiscovered Worlds. Showtimes at 4:00PM AND 6:00PM. Come in costume! Purchase Tickets / More information.

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McAuliffe Center at FSU Homecoming
Oct
18
1:00 PM13:00

McAuliffe Center at FSU Homecoming

Date: Saturday, October 18
Time:
1:00PM - 4:00PM
Audience: FSU Community, Alumni, Family & Friends
Location:
McAuliffe Center

Alumni, family and friends are invited to the Christa McAuliffe Center to interact with the Center's dynamic offerings, including planetarium programs across multiple disciplines and tours of the Challenger Learning Center with simulation of space missions! More information

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Massachusetts Teacher STEM Fair
Oct
4
9:00 AM09:00

Massachusetts Teacher STEM Fair

Date: Saturday, October 4
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Audience: MA Educators & Their Families
Location: Gillette Stadium Cross Insurance Club | Foxborough, MA

Join educators from all content areas for a dynamic, hands-on event designed to spark inspiration and innovation. Explore interactive STEM lessons, connect with statewide STEM organizations, and discover fresh ideas to energize your classroom. Find the Christa McAuliffe Center at the fair! More Information

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Summer Public Planetarium Program: August 19
Aug
19
3:00 PM15:00

Summer Public Planetarium Program: August 19

Date: Tuesday, August 19
Time: 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Audience: Families & All Ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

On a two-year journey to Mars, astronauts will face extraordinary challenges: long distance, a closed environment, isolation, altered gravity, radiation. What will it take to get astronauts to Mars—and back—safely? Purchase Tickets / More information.

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Summer Public Planetarium Program: August 12
Aug
12
3:00 PM15:00

Summer Public Planetarium Program: August 12

Date: Tuesday, August 12
Time: 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Audience: Families & All Ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

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. Purchase Tickets / More information.

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Summer Public Planetarium Program: July 29
Jul
29
4:00 PM16:00

Summer Public Planetarium Program: July 29

Date: Tuesday, July 29
Time: 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Audience: Families & All Ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

Our climate, our ecosystems, and the human-induced damage caused to both of them are explored in depth. Dive into a friendly introduction to the changes imposed upon our planet's climate, how we measure them, and what we can do about it. Purchase Tickets / More information.

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Summer Public Planetarium Program: July 24
Jul
24
4:00 PM16:00

Summer Public Planetarium Program: July 24

Date: Thursday, July 24
Time: 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Audience: Families & All Ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

An elaborate, animated film offering big adventure and comedy, set against the real story of our first visit to another world. Follow three young flies as they inadvertently stowaway aboard Apollo 11 and join Neil, Buzz, and Michael on their mission to pull off the very first moon landing! More information.

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Summer Public Planetarium Program: July 8
Jul
8
4:00 PM16:00

Summer Public Planetarium Program: July 8

Date: Tuesday, July 8
Time: 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Audience: Families & All Ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

An elaborate, animated film offering big adventure and comedy, set against the real story of our first visit to another world. Follow three young flies as they inadvertently stowaway aboard Apollo 11 and join Neil, Buzz, and Michael on their mission to pull off the very first moon landing! More information.

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Summer Public Planetarium Program: July 1
Jul
1
4:00 PM16:00

Summer Public Planetarium Program: July 1

Date: Tuesday, July 1
Time: 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Audience: Families & All Ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

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. More information.

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Summer Public Planetarium Program: June 24
Jun
24
4:00 PM16:00

Summer Public Planetarium Program: June 24

Date: Tuesday, June 24
Time: 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Audience: Families & All Ages
Location: FSU Planetarium

Our climate, our ecosystems, and the human-induced damage caused to both of them are explored in depth. Dive into a friendly introduction to the changes imposed upon our planet's climate, how we measure them, and what we can do about it. More information.

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Sally's Night Celebration
Jun
13
6:30 PM18:30

Sally's Night Celebration

Date: Friday, June 13
Time: 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Audience: All Ages
Location: McAuliffe Center

To honor the 42nd anniversary of Sally Ride becoming the first American woman in space, we are hosting a special evening consisting of FREE fun for everyone! Engage in hands-on activities led by NASA Solar System Ambassadors and The Space Consortium and experience full planetarium programs! More Information.

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Science on State Street 2025
Apr
26
12:00 PM12:00

Science on State Street 2025

Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 12:00PM - 3:00PM
Audience: All Ages
Location: McAuliffe Center and O’Connor Parking Lot
Rain or Shine! In case of bad weather all exhibits will move indoors.

Official Festival Webpage

Attend our annual free science festival for families and learners of all ages! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math and the ways they support environmental justice, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability! Rain or Shine! In case of bad weather all exhibits will move indoors.

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