The "First (and Last) 35mm Film Festival

The Staerkel Planetarium opened in 1987 as a member of the C-360 consortium.  This organization of planetariums would pool their resources to obtain 35mm prints of selected IMAX movies to show in their domes.   C-360 is no longer a viable organization and, to be fair, the films are getting older.  No new stock is being produced.   Thus we will retire our films with one last showing, beginning in March.    Each will be shown once Friday and once Saturday.   Put them on your calendar and see them one last time before their retirement!   There is no advance ticket sales for the films and all tickets are sold at the door the night of the presentation. 

NOTICE:    Much to our surprise, the films have been overwhelming popular so far and we have had to unfortunately turn some people away only because we sold out the show.   So, due to public demand, we will also show the films as part of our summer schedule, which will be coming online, soon!   We thank you for your patience and appreciate your patronage!  

              ARCTIC LIGHT

Experience life above the Arctic Circle in the "Land of the Midnight Sun" in this two-story tall film.  Travel to Tromso, Norway, for some of the most amazing footage of the Northern Lights ever captured on film.  The North American debut of this film was hosted by the Staerkel Planetarium.   Showing March 7, 8 at 8pm and May 30 at 9pm.

              SPACE SHUTTLE: AN AMERICAN ADVENTURE

Board the space shuttle for a ride into Earth orbit. See how astronauts live and work in space in this two-story tall film. This is the very first large-screen film shot in orbit. It's the next best thing to actually being there!   Filmed before the Challenger incident.   Showing March 14, 15 at 8pm and June 6 at 9pm

              SEASONS

William Shatner narrates a celebration of the four seasons and how life adapts to the changing climate in this film entirely shot in the state of Minnesota.  Using the Zeiss planetarium, we will depict the Sun's changing altitude throughout the year.  A marvelous film full of color!  Showing March 28, 29 at 8pm and June 13 at 9pm.

              GREAT BARRIER REEF

This show thrills us with the greatest assemblage of life forms on this planet in the largest structure built by living creatures anywhere on Earth. Filmed almost entirely beneath the waves!  See corals, octopus, and even sharks!    Showing April 4, 5 at 8pm and June 20 at 9pm.

              THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT ST. HELENS

Relive the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens and the devastation that immediately followed. Then witness the subsequent return of life to the mountain ten years later. Many scenes were shot in a helicopter circling the crater!  Have a blast at this one!  Showing April 11, 12 at 8pm and July 11 at 9pm.

              GENESIS

See how our planet is in a constant state of change as new continents are born and oceans reshaped. See islands being born before your very eyes, the spreading of the sea floor, and come face to face with volcanic lava flows in this excellent treatment of plate tectonics and volcanism.   Showing April 18, 19 at 8pm and June 27 at 9pm.

              TO FLY

See the very first film to be shown at both the Staerkel Planetarium and the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.   Soar high above the Earth in a balloon, fly with the Blue Angels and hang glide off the coast of Hawaii in a film originally released in 1976.  Showing April 25, 26 at 8pm and July 18 at 9pm.