What's Up in SWFL Skies: Eclipse Coming! - April 2024
Glorious sound and imagery await you! In 2020, we updated to a brand-new 5.1 surround-sound system and an amazing Digitarium Lambda Plus laser projection system!
The planetarium is open each day the Calusa Nature Center is open and we typically have educational/fun public shows at 12:15 pm and 2:15 pm daily; seating starts 15-20 min before the shows. We also offer private planetarium shows for prearranged Field Trips, typically before noon on weekdays (and an extra Science Sunday show on Sunday afternoons), and at other times for rentals/special events. If your visit's timing/content is crucial, please check with the front desk to be sure of the schedule for a given day, as we do have occasional rentals, refurbishing times, late field trips, and special events: 239-275-3435.
Admission to planetarium shows is included in the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium ticket price and all public daytime planetarium shows are free to members. Our planetarium shows rotate monthly and an up-to-date schedule can be found here.
The Calusa Nature Center Planetarium is the only planetarium in our area of Southwest Florida, with no other planetarium open to the public along the western half of Florida south of Bradenton. We take our educational mission seriously and love bringing the wonders of the Universe to our Southwest Florida community and visitors!
Our History
Ground was broken for the Calusa Nature Center Planetarium in May 1984, and construction was completed in December 1986. The planetarium dome is 44 feet in diameter. The planetarium has permanent seats for 86 people and 4 wheelchair spaces.
For big screen/flatscreen projection, a high-brightness LCD video system projects brightly from the rear of the planetarium, allowing us to show anything from a laptop, DVD player, or Blu-Ray player. With a 44′ light path, the images are large as well as bright, making this venue suitable for everything from 80-person meetings to special corporate or social events to marriage proposals!
How We've Changed: In 2010, the original Spitz 512 planetarium projector (which projected only a star field) was replaced by a Konica Minolta Mediaglobe II digital projector, which allowed us to begin showing full-dome "movie" style planetarium shows. In 2020, that was replaced by the Digitarium Lambda-Plus laser-phosphor system: brighter and higher-defiition for a real sense of "zooming through space" when that's what's needed!
A 40-foot by 11-foot stage was added to the front of the planetarium theater in 2011, making it more versatile for speakers, plays, small concerts, and other special events (for example, we’ve hosted chamber music, private parties, weddings, memorial services, and fashion shows, and in Spring, 2024 a live stage play).
In 2020, during a covid-crisis shutdown, the new Digitalis Education Digitarium Lambda Plus projection system replaced the Mediaglobe II digital projector, but that was only the beginning! The Digitarium Lambda Plus is a laser-phosphor high-brightness, high-contrast, high-resolution planetarium system from Digitalis Education Solutions. In August 2021, Ash Enterprises installed a brand-new 5.1 surround-sound system (and we have more needed-upgrade items on our list, for which we are fundraising). We are all excited about the Lambda Plus and the surround-sound system, and so very pleased to bring our visitors the next step in full-dome total immersion!
As the only planetarium between Miami and Bradenton, we need community investment to complete the renewal of our inner space. We have some large donor support and a foundation grant that has launched the planetarium to begin our renovation process. With your generous donation, we can continue to help our visitors and children reach for the stars! Click here to learn more and set your name among those who have helped us reach for the stars.
What's Up in SWFL Skies
Planetarium Premieres
Join us for the premiere showing of some of our possible future planetarium shows. These premieres might become daily shows in the following months, and are usually accompanied by a live guide to the night sky and a general orientation to the premiere itself. Come get an early viewing of what might be to come -- and your audience feedback may shape our future show lineup! For full descriptions, check our Calendar.
Non-members: $15 Members: free
Sensory Sundays
Our sensory-friendly planetarium shows are for guests with Autism spectrum disorder, sensory sensitivities/PTSD, or young children. Everyone is welcome, even if you don’t have special sensory considerations, but the conditions will not be the same as our 12:15 and 2:15 planetarium shows.
Shows are limited to a maximum of 50 audience members. These shows will run with the lights on but dimmed, the sound down, and the theater doors open so people can move about as needed. Guests are welcome to “chill out” in our lobby. All shows include a live star talk about what is up in the sky that night. We will include a short break between the main show and star talk to allow each group to attend or not as they feel is best for their needs. Sensory-friendly toys are available on request and don't worry, parents: these are disinfected thoroughly after each use :-)
Click button at bottom to reserve your seats! Download Your Calusa Nature Center Planetarium Sensory Sunday Children's Guide HERE to help prepare your child for their Planetarium visit.
- Sun, May 05Fort MyersMay 05, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PMFort Myers, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USAMay 05, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PMFort Myers, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USANarrated by Avery Brooks [Benjamin Cisco], star of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, this show introduces us to the oceans of water on bodies in our solar system – and beyond! Highlights the search for extrasolar planets and explores the conditions necessary to form and sustain life.
Planetarium Special Events
Our amazing skies put on special performances for us. When this happens, we jump into action put together special events for your enjoyment! You can find information about special celestial occurrences and other unique planetarium events here!
Planetarium Fundraiser
The Calusa Nature Center's planetarium opened in December of 1986. In 2020 we upgraded to a Digitarium Lambda-Plus projection system and installed a brand new surround-sound audio system.
The interior of the planetarium can accommodate performances and presentations, making it a highly versatile space for speakers, plays, small concerts, weddings, private parties, and other special events.
As the only planetarium between Miami and Bradenton, we need your investment to complete the renewal of our inner space. We have large donor support and a foundation grant that has launched the planetarium to begin our renovation process. With your generous donation, we can continue to help our visitors and children reach for the stars!
Your investment to support a new state of the art planetarium & multimedia theater includes:
New Projection System ($90k) - installed March 2020
New Sound System ($20k) - installed December 2020
New Entrance Bridge ($25k) - installed November 2021
New Theater Seating ($50k)
New Foyer and Exhibition Hall ($75k)
New Planetarium Shows ($30k)
New Cove Lighting ($5k)
New Stage ($10k)
New Carpeting ($20k)
New Back Dome Renovations ($15k)
New STEAM Classroom ($10k)
New Storage Renovation ($5k)
New Planetarium Roof ($60k)
New Air Conditioning Units ($40k)
Total Renovation Cost: $447,000 (still needed: $320k)
How You Can Invest in Your Local Planetarium
Galaxy Level
$5000
Priority Choice of Planetarium Seat with Plaque
Plaque on Donor Recognition Board
Invitation to VIP Events for Two Years
One Private Planetarium Show for 15 Business Associates or Family
Logo/Family Name Displayed in Planetarium Dome for Two Years
Supernova Level
$2500
Choice of Planetarium Seat with Plaque
Plaque on Donor Recognition Board
Invitation to VIP Events for Two Years
Nova Level
$1500
Planetarium Seat with Plaque
Plaque on Donor Recognition Board
Invitation to VIP Events for One Year
Star Level
$500
Planetarium Seat with Plaque
Plaque on Donor Recognition Board
Smaller Donations
Any amount donated to our planetarium upgrade helps us make this project a reality!
To Donate
Please email our Executive Director or call us at
(239) 275-3435 to discuss your donation!