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.
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 Presentation
Tuesday, August 21st at 7:00 pm

David Hanson will discuss astro-photography in general and discuss some of the challenges of imaging in Juneau.


First, he will go through a gallery of his astro images and talk about the objects in the images.
 

Finally Dave will speak in more detail about the equipment, techniques and software used for astrophotography. About 1 hour with Q&A.

 

Intended audience is teen through adult. However anyone may attend. Dave will have a telescope set up on a tripod and mount with a camera, so small children must be watched by their parents so they don't touch the equipment.


David is a local amateur astronomer who specializes in astro imaging. He will be doing an interview about the presentation on KTOO's Juneau Afternoon on Friday, August 17th at 3:15 pm.


Afterwards we will have a short break and then show 'The Stars Tonight' if there are at least 10 people who want to stay for that

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


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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