UW-Eau Claire Planetarium Will Host Final Shows
The L.E. Phillips Planetarium is hosting its final public shows before the university moves to the new Riverside Science Center.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Space
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The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire L.E. Phillips Planetarium will conclude its public programming ahead of the closure of Phillips Hall. The final show is scheduled for December 10, 2026.
Why it matters
The closure marks the end of an era for the campus as the university transitions its operations to the newly constructed Riverside Science Center. This shift requires the retirement of the facility that has long utilized traditional optical projection technology.
The L.E. Phillips Planetarium utilizes optical projection with lenses to sharpen star images, masking out light to create a dark night sky. Shows are held on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. for a cash admission fee of $5.
The players
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
This public university located in Eau Claire serves as the host institution for the planetarium and is overseeing the transition to the new Riverside Science Center.
L.E. Phillips Planetarium
This campus facility uses optical projection technology to present astronomy education to students and the Eau Claire community.
The details
The facility features an optical projection system designed to create immersive star displays for the public. These final events offer a last opportunity for visitors to experience the planetarium in its current location before the building closes.
Timeline
Public planetarium shows occur at 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings.
The final planetarium show takes place on December 10, 2026.
The Big Picture
The transition to the Riverside Science Center reflects a broader trend of academic institutions upgrading to modernized research and teaching facilities. This move signals a shift away from legacy hardware like the current optical planetarium setup toward updated scientific infrastructure.
Local residents wishing to attend a show must arrive at the facility by 7 p.m. on a Thursday with $5 in cash for admission. The closure of Phillips Hall means this will be the last chance to view the star displays at this specific location.
The takeaway
Visitors interested in local astronomy should ensure they attend the remaining Thursday evening sessions before the December deadline. This transition represents an opportunity for the university to modernize its scientific outreach capabilities in the coming years.
What happens next
The final public planetarium show is set to take place on December 10, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the field by visiting our Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Weau.
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