Shiras Planetarium is the only fully operational planetarium within a two hundred mile radius of Marquette, serving a large region of the Upper Great Lakes. Since our doors first opened in 1965, hundreds of thousands of students ranging from lower elementary to university, community members, and visitors to our area have come to the Shiras Planetarium to be entertained and educated. The Shiras Planetarium offers daily programs to schools from across the U.P. and weekly programs for the public and special groups. We serve a valuable and unique need of the people of the Upper Peninsula.

The Shiras Planetarium opened in the spring of 1965 after money through the National Defense Act was acquired to purchase a star projector.  Once the money for the star projector was secured, all that was necessary was a building to house it.  The Shiras Foundation graciously funded this project as an addition to the newly built Marquette Senior High School.