LodeStar Astronomy Center - Albuquerque, New Mexico - Planetarium, Telescope and Space Exhibits

The LodeStar Astronomy Center at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is a University of New Mexico project, operated in partnership with the museum. LodeStar ranks among the world's leaders in immersive digital theater production and education, and its high-definition video planetarium here is the largest domed theater in the state.

Shows such as "Journey to the Stars'' and "Dawn of the Space Age'' are shown on the hour from noon till closing. There are also live presentations in the planetarium, such as "Enchanted Skies,'' giving audiences a guided tour of the current evening sky by displaying a real-time digital star field.

The LodeStar Astronomy Center also features a 16-inch telescope housed within a 22-foot dome for actual star gazing and photography. Special filters allow viewing of the sun during daylight hours. Recently added here is a new permanent exhibit called "Space Frontiers,'' focusing on New Mexico's contributions to space exploration and understanding.

The LodeStar Astronomy Center is located at 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104. It is open from 9am to 5pm daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission to the museum and planetarium costs $7 for adults between the ages of 13 and 59, $6 for seniors aged 60 or over, and $4 for children 3~12 years old.