Make plans to explore the stars and constellations inside the Rotunda Dome Room on Friday, November 27, from 6–8:30 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is open to the public and will feature special performances by the Youth Orchestras of Central Virginia.
The idea for a Rotunda Planetarium dates back to the summer of 1818, when Jefferson envisioned the Dome’s ceiling painted “sky-blue and spangled with gilt stars in their position and magnitude copied exactly.” More than 200 years later, that vision inspired three UVA doctoral students to bring the night sky indoors. With support from a Jefferson Trust grant, they purchased the equipment needed to “open the ceiling to the stars” in 2019 and hosted an exhibition exploring the Rotunda Library’s early history.
Join us for a unique opportunity to experience the night sky inside one of UVA’s most iconic spaces. Bring the family and enjoy an evening of astronomy, music, and history. We hope to see you on November 27!