El Paso’s Gene Roddenberry Planetarium Begins Hosting Public Shows Again

After hinting that the return of public programming was imminent, El Paso’s Gene Roddenberry Planetarium has indeed reopened to the public.

And you don’t have to wait until summer to experience the cosmos inside the new planetarium. Free tickets are now available for public shows rolling out this month.

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What to Know If You Want to Go

Each showing will have a limited seating of 60 attendees per show. Programming will include a "Tonight's Sky" talk and a full dome presentation of "From Earth to the Universe."

Why Do I Have to Fill Out a Survey to Attend?

Among the instructions is a request to fill out a survey that includes questions such as what gender you identify as, ethnicity, and household income.

According to the site, the information is needed because “the Roddenberry is partially funded with grant money that requires us to report on the following questions.”

Although it says “attendees must complete” the survey before receiving ticket(s), it appears to be on the honor system.

Reserve You Seat

Public Shows are free, but a ticket is needed to attend and they are only available online. No walk-ups. All upcoming shows are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and are scheduled for 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Seats for May 18, 24, 25, 31, and June 1 can be reserved at THIS LINK.

How to Get to the New Roddenberry

The Gene Roddenberry Planetarium has a new home at 5411 Wren Ave in Northeast El Paso at the former Crosby Elementary site.