General Lab Information

photo of two silhouetted people looking up inside a planetarium dome
Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium

180 Little Neck Rd, Centerport, NY 11721

Saturday, May 30, 2026
9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Join scientists from Brookhaven Lab at the Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium to explore the wonders of the universe. Discover energy and the power of the sun through hands-on activities and learn about cutting-edge research at Brookhaven's National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II). Enjoy engaging talks from NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) scientist Trevor Olsen on the challenges of space exploration, as well as how elements and stars work, preceded by a brief star talk led by planetarium staff. A special planetarium show for children (ages 8+) will also bring the cosmos to life.

exterior photo of the Reichert Planetarium

Vanderbilt Museum's Reichert Planetarium

The Vanderbilt Museum and grounds and Reichert Planetarium will open at 9:30 a.m. and admission will be FREE for all members of the public until 2 p.m. Visitors will have access to the grounds as well as exhibits in the Vanderbilt Mansion and Marine Museum. Seating for the scientific talks and Planetarium shows require reservations. Click on the shows below to reserve your seat!

10 a.m. "One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure"
Presented by the Vanderbilt Planetarium, Big Bird, Elmo, and their new friend Hu Hu Zhu learn about stars, constellations, and the Moon by using their imagination to take a trip into space. Recommended for ages 2 - 8.		 Reserve Seat
11 a.m. "The Challenges of Space Exploration"
Scientist Trevor Olsen of Brookhaven Lab's NASA Space Radiation Laboratory will share a talk about the complexities of space exploration and the strategies developed to address them (run time is approximately 45 minutes and includes a brief Star Talk presented by the Vanderbilt Planetarium, featuring a guided exploration of constellations and planets).		 Reserve Seat
Noon "Are We all Made of Star Stuff? How Elements and Stars Work"
Scientist Trevor Olsen of Brookhaven Lab's NASA Space Radiation Laboratory will share a talk about composition of matter and nucleosynthesis (run time is approximately 45 minutes and includes a brief Star Talk presented by the Vanderbilt Planetarium, featuring a guided exploration of constellations and planets).		 Reserve Seat