TOMS RIVER – Now through August, enjoy a celestial experience at the Robert J. Novins Planetarium on the Ocean County College Main Campus, College Drive, Toms River, NJ.

Please call ahead to confirm show dates and times!  All shows, dates, and times are subject to change without notice.

Planetarium Building

SKY SHOWS

Wonders of the Seasonal Sky (Ages 8 and over) Join our Planetarium presenter for an in-depth tour of our current sky over New Jersey.  This ever-changing program explores the season’s constellations, bright stars, visible planets, deep sky objects, and celestial highlights.  Constellation mythology and recent space events are included.  A question and answer period rounds out this fun and informal presentation.  Shows run now through August 30 at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays (except 7/4) and Saturdays (except 7/12, 7/26, and 8/2) and at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (except 7/4), and Saturdays.

Dawn of the Space Age (Ages 12 and over) Be immersed and overwhelmed with this most accurate historic reconstruction of man’s first steps into space.  Take a look at both the Russian and American ventures into the cosmos from the launch of Sputnik to the American Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle programs.  Learn about the International Space Station, private space exploration ventures, and the possible future of human exploration.  Shows run on Saturdays, August 2 to 30 at 2:30 p.m.

CHILDREN’S SHOWS

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure (Ages 7 and under) Join Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo on a journey of discovery and imagination as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from China.  In addition, our live presenter will give a brief tour of the night sky over New Jersey so children can learn where to look for some of the constellations and visible planets of the season.  Shows run now through August 30 at 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays (except 7/4), and Saturdays.

Secret of the Cardboard Rocket (Ages 12 and under) Join two adventurous children as they use their imaginations, a refrigerator box, and a helpful animated astronomy book to take a tour of the solar system.  Travel to the planets and learn why each one of them is unique.  Our live presenter will give a brief tour of the night sky over New Jersey so children can learn where to look for some of the constellations and visible planets of the season.  Shows run at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, July 2 to 30; Thursdays, July 3 to 31; and Fridays, July 11 to 25; and at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays, August 9 to 30. 

Pajama Night (Family Friendly Show) Put your jammies on and get ready for some fun!  We'll visit the planets and hear stories about the characters that can be found in the night sky.  We may even have time for music and dancing ... maybe even lasers!  Join us for this fun-filled variety show.  5:30 & 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, July 12 and August 2.

Kaluoka’hina: The Enchanted Reef (Ages 12 and under.  Note: Some scenes may not be suitable for children under 4.)  Join Jake & Shorty, two humorous fish, on an animated quest to restore the magic of their tropical reef that will protect it from man’s destruction.  Children will witness a one-of-kind underwater world that is full of adventure, danger, and riddles.  In addition, our live presenter will show how to find constellations and even planets visible over New Jersey in the night sky.  Shows run at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 5 and July 19; and August 1 to 29 at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

LASER SHOWS

FAMILY AUDIENCES

Laser Spirit (Family Audiences) With a mix of pop, classic rock, oldies, adult contemporary, and patriotic music, Laser Spirit is a motivating laser show that will make you proud to be a visionary, idealist, achiever, and American.  This program is accompanied with stirring laser effects and beautiful background artwork and images that all come together to produce an uplifting and inspirational experience.  8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 5.

Laser iPOP (Family Audiences) New music from today’s Pop charts mixed in with classic pop music to bring you a sizzling and dazzling laser light concert.  8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 11 and August 8; and Saturday, July 12 and August 9.

LaserOpolis (Family Audiences) Ancient towers hide the symbols that will transport you to a new experience of sight and sounds.  After the journey through the four space-time pillars, a portal will be opened into a previously unseen and unheard of dimension!  LaserOpolis is a mind-blowing mix of music and equally dazzling laser effects, which come together to make a truly awesome laser experience.  4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18.

Laser Fun (Family Audiences) A mix of pop songs, from the 70’s through today, creates a playful atmosphere.  4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25.

Laser Mania (Family Audiences) Surveying soft rock, pop, adult contemporary, and easy listening, this is a fun family laser concert with beautiful artistic interpretation.  Eyes and ears will enjoy the dazzling colors and laser art set to music from over five decades.  8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 25.

Laser POP (Family Audiences) The hottest pop artists and the latest laser art come together in a sensational, eye-POPping laser show that will have your heart thumping and your feet tapping!  8:30 p.m. on Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2.

Laser Vinyl (Family Audiences) Accompanying a fantastic musical concert, this program represents the best of classic rock in some of the most beautiful and stunning laser art!  Reminisce, tap your feet, and enjoy a truly fantastic audio-visual event that will rock your body, mind, and soul!  8:30 p.m. on Friday, August 29 and Saturday, August 30.

ALL AGES

Laser Beatles (All Ages) The “Fab Four’s” best, spanning six years and 11 albums becomes the background for dazzling laser-art and spectacular effects.  All ages will appreciate this fantasy tribute of music and light to The Beatles and how they helped define a generation.  8:30 p.m. on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16.

AGES 7 & UNDER

Laser Show: They Might Be Giants (Ages 7 and under) Come on board as we take families on a journey, learning about numbers, letters, and science.  Using laser animation and music, you will be dancing in your seats as you follow along learning about Nonagon, Letter Not A Letter, Roy G. Biv, I Am A Paleontologist, and many more.  In addition, our live presenter will show you how to find constellations and even planets visible over New Jersey in the night sky.  2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, July 5 to 26.  //  4:00 p.m. on Fridays, July 11, and August 1 to 29.

AGES 13 & UP

Laser Metallica (Ages 13 and up) Metal meets lasers!  And it is intense!  The theater shakes with the awesome hits from Metallica!  Now Metallica’s tempos, instrumentals, themes, and sounds are joined with laser lights.  Your pulse and body will pound as the music fills both your ears and eyes.  8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19.

AGES 15 & UP

Laser Zeppelin (Not recommended for ages under 15. May contain lyrics that some parents find objectionable.) Led Zeppelin is proclaimed by many critics to be the progenitors of heavy metal and hard rock, and their individualistic style reset the standards for many musical genres in the 1960s and 1970s.  Indeed, they have been hailed as one of the most successful, innovative, and influential bands, alongside Pink Floyd, U2, and the Beatles.  Now you can relive the magical sounds of Led Zeppelin while enjoying a visual treat of custom laser imagery.  8:30 p.m. on Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23.

SUMMER LASER FEST (Six Awesome Shows – One Awesome Day!)

Laser Beatles (All Ages) The “Fab Four’s” best, spanning six years and 11 albums becomes the background for dazzling laser-art and spectacular effects.  All ages will appreciate this fantasy tribute of music and light to The Beatles and how they helped define a generation. 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.

Laser Vinyl (Family Audiences) Accompanying a fantastic musical concert, this program represents the best of classic rock in some of the most beautiful and stunning laser art!  Reminisce, tap your feet, and enjoy a truly fantastic audio-visual event that will rock your body, mind, and soul!  7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.

Laser Zeppelin (Not recommended for ages under 15. May contain lyrics that some parents find objectionable.) Led Zeppelin is proclaimed by many critics to be the progenitors of heavy metal and hard rock, and their individualistic style reset the standards for many musical genres in the 1960s and 1970s.  Indeed, they have been hailed as one of the most successful, innovative, and influential bands, alongside Pink Floyd, U2, and the Beatles.  Now you can relive the magical sounds of Led Zeppelin while enjoying a visual treat of custom laser imagery.  8:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.

Laser Pink Floyd: Darkside of the Moon (Not recommended for ages under 15. May contain lyrics that some parents find objectionable.) This show offers a mixture of psychedelic, rock, and jazz sounds.  Its sonic backdrops and atmospheric soundscapes combined with a unique assortment of sound effects yield an emotional resonance.  When accompanied by a diverse and unusual display of laser art, the overall feel is a dramatic and haunting atmosphere.  9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.

Laser Pink Floyd: The Wall (Not recommended for ages under 15. May contain lyrics that some parents find objectionable.) Pink Floyd is always a crowd favorite and The Wall is considered to be one of the best classic rock albums of all time.  It tells the tale of a rock star named Pink and his downward spiral into madness.  It is a timeless classic and one of Pink Floyd’s best, becoming the group’s second best seller behind Dark Side of the Moon.  10:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.

Laser Fest Encore – Must attend the 10:45 p.m. show to see this surprise Encore!

All shows run about one hour. Shows begin promptly. Please plan to arrive at least 15-minutes prior to show time as there is no admittance or re-admittance once the show has begun. Note: The Planetarium building does not open until 11:00 a.m. for daytime shows.

Admission: (Pricing is per show) $10 adults, $8 seniors (60+) and OCC Rewards Members with card, $7 children (12 and under), unless otherwise noted. Family Pack $35 (a $41 value) includes two adults and three children.  Separate ticket needed for each show. To see more than one show on a given day, just ask for our Multi-Show Discount, $1 off per show!

Special Group Rates ($7 per person) are available for groups of 15 or more with advance contract. Please plan on at least two weeks advance notice.

Purchase tickets online at tickets.ocean.edu. Tickets go on sale at the door 1/2 hour before our first show. We accept all major credit cards. Sorry, we are unable to accept checks.

For recorded show information, call 732-255-0342.  Visit www.ocean.edu.

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