Marie Drake Planetarium

Where the stars always shine in Juneau, Alaska

Welcome to Alaska's largest planetarium

Help us Reach for the Stars

  • Juneau's planetarium is part of the Juneau School District and has been run by volunteers for over 20 years. Our presentations and events reflect the interest and knowledge of our volunteers.
  • We offer free astronomy education for the public, school classes and community groups.

The planetarium is a unique community resource

The planetarium projector allows us to model the sky even when the weather is miserable!  We show 'The Stars Tonight' at almost all presentations at the planetarium showing how Juneau's night sky would look if it were clear. Click here to learn more about our starball.


The planetarium has been run by volunteers with knowledge of and enthusiasm about astronomy. This is reflected in the planetarium's diverse offerings (click to learn more).

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Join our email list or like us on Facebook to keep informed of upcoming presentations and events.
The Aztec calendar was an adaptation of the Mayan calendar. It consisted of a 365-day agricultural calendar, as well as a 260-day sacred calendar. (This is a digital composite. Color added for visibility.)
We are fundraising for a new digital planetarium system to replace our current system which is 50 years old. Donations are tax-deductible.
$6,200 raised so far (about 10% of what we need).
Next free event at planetarium

Skywatching and Ancient Calendars


Tuesday, September 18th at 7:00 pm

First there will be a starball presentation. Then Rosemary will talk about skywatching and ancient calendars.

What do of what do all ancient calendars have in common?  They all used rhythms of our planet and our skies – the Sun, the Moon, the stars, and the seasons.  What exactly are these cycles?   How do these astronomical cycles appear in ancient calendars and structures such as those of the Babylonians, British Islands, Maya, and indigenous Americans?  How do they still affect our modern timekeeping?

Rosemary's talk is aimed for children 10 and up and adults, but anyone may attend.

Presenter Rosemary Walling has taught astronomy at UAS and is a planetarium board member.

Location:  Downtown - 1415 Glacier Avenue

The planetarium is in the Marie Drake Building (between Harborview and a playing field). You will see the Planetarium logo on a sign above the double doors. If you are at the stop light at 10th Avenue and Egan Drive, coming into downtown Juneau, take a left at the light and go two blocks to Glacier Avenue. Take a left. Go two blocks to the 4 way stop sign at 12th and Glacier. Continue on Glacier Avenue. You will see the schools on the left side of the streets starting Harborview. Next to it is the Marie Drake Building. If you see the swimming pool or the high school you have gone too far.
1415 Glacier Avenue Juneau Alaska

Friends of the Marie Drake Planetarium (FOMDP)

The Friends of the Marie Drake Planetarium a 501(c)(3) was formed in 2014 to support the planetarium and astronomy education in Juneau.  We are fundraising for a new digital projector which will cost at least $35,000. This powerful tool will enable us to offer more diverse astronomy presentations.  

Wish List

  • We need comfortable chairs. Please bring to a show or call for pick up.
  • We need volunteer to do children's programming.
  • We need volunteer to do hands on programming e.g. hands on astronomy demonstration or astronomy art project.
  • We need fundraising assistance 
    • Grant writing
    • Organizing a fundraising event such as giving a powerpoint travelogue or organizing a garage sale.

Contact Us

You are welcome to contact us if you have
  • ideas for planetarium shows and events
  • constructive suggestions for improvement
  • want to volunteer or make a donation 
  • questions
  • fundraising and grant suggestions
  • want to request a free astronomy presentation for your school group or community group. We will try to find a volunteer at a mutually agreeable time. Please let us know topic, number of attendees and ages/grades of attendees.

Board Members
  • Clark Branch, 723-8044
  • Rosemary Walling, 723-0692
  • Steve Kocsis, 500-2941
  • Cristina Della Rosa, 500-2942
  • John Kremers

mariedrakeplanetarium@gmail.com

Mailing Address
Clark Branch 
36 West 8th Street, Juneau, Alaska, 99801
Thank you for contacting us. We will get back to you as soon as possible
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