Entry No. 36 — the Columbus file — filed under: planetarium
Arne Slettebak Planetarium
Tucked away on the fifth floor of OSU's Smith Laboratory, this intimate 63-seat digital dome theater has been projecting the cosmos since 1967.
The story
You wouldn’t know it from the utilitarian brick facade outside, but the fifth floor of Smith Laboratory conceals a hidden portal to the cosmos. The Arne Slettebak Planetarium has been projecting simulated starfields across its dome since 1967, operating quietly as a specialized fixture of Ohio State’s Department of Astronomy in the University District.
It stands in stark contrast to large, commercial science centers. Packing just 63 seats into an intimate digital dome theater, the venue relies on a high-definition projection system to cast the night sky directly overhead. It remains an unpretentious academic hideaway where you can watch the constellations shift in total quiet, tucked high above standard university lecture halls.
What it's like
Head into Smith Lab at 174 W 19th Avenue and take the elevator straight to the fifth floor. The theater itself is compact and dark, centered around the digital dome projector. Instead of slick commercial spectacles, shows lean toward educational stargazing sessions and night-sky tours led by astronomy department staff. Because seating is capped at just 63 spots, showing up unannounced is a gamble—reserve tickets online via Eventbrite or the department page and double-check event times before trekking across campus.
The move: Attend a public stargazing show to see a high-definition projection of the night sky, then stroll through the quiet, brick-lined campus under the real stars.
- 📍 University District
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Smith Laboratory, 174 W 19th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Garden of Constants — After gazing at star coordinates in the dome, walk two minutes over to Dreese Laboratories to wander among the giant ceramic numbers scattered across the lawn.
- Orton Geological Museum — Pair deep-space digital projections with ancient fossils and minerals inside the castle-like Orton Hall just a short walk south on campus.
- Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum — Trade astronomical maps for world-class comic strips and editorial cartoons at this massive archive on the east side of campus.
Good to know
Where in Smith Laboratory is the planetarium located?
It is located on the fifth floor of Smith Laboratory at 174 W 19th Avenue on OSU's main campus.
How many seats are inside the theater?
The planetarium is small and holds exactly 63 seats.
How do I get tickets for a public show?
Public stargazing shows and outreach events are listed on the OSU Department of Astronomy website and Eventbrite. Seats are limited, so reservations should be made in advance.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: astronomy.osu.edu · eventbrite.com · planetarium.osu.edu
last checked: 2026-07-21