Just on the edge of the Museum of the Southwest grounds the Marian Blakemore Planetarium is a visit into outer space. Opened in 1972, the Planetarium features a 40-foot dome, one of the largest in the state of Texas. It is the only public planetarium in West Texas and as such offers astronomy programs targeted for preschool age through adults. School and civic groups from all over West Texas and beyond receive programs about the cosmos throughout the week. Public programs and Star Parties are available on weekends. The night sky simulated by the Minolta-Viewlex Series IV projector is one of the finest in the state. The Planetarium truly provides a unique educational resource for both schools and the general public. Track a comet or other celestial body across the desert sky, or join an excursion across a planet's surface, or simply relax and let your eyes adjust as the Planetarium brings the mysteries of the universe up close. Planetarium Activities are not only at night! Sun spot viewing (through shielded and filtered instruments) is popular with both adults and kids.