You’re invited to get up close with some of the more familiar creatures found in our ocean.
Our touch tank pool allows you to gently touch marine animals such as sea stars, sea urchins, whelks, horseshoe crabs, and hermit crabs. These animals live in a variety of habitats and have developed many ways to survive the waves and predators. Volunteers are on hand to assist and teach you about these incredible animals.
Did you know, when a sea urchin “hugs” your finger if you gently touch its spines, it’s actually checking you out: Are you food or predator? If you’re neither, the animal will just gradually release you.
Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body. Discover the perils that lurk in space as ‘Chad’, our test astronaut, is subjected to everything that space has to throw at him.
All Sky Theater shows are family friendly and include a brief star show after the main presentation. The Planetarium’s new offering, Red-eye to the Stars—the flying observatory SOFIA, shows the unique atmosphere during a science flight aboard the “Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy” (SOFIA) and follow how the secrets of the universe are uncovered by witnessing an expedition for a glimpse into hidden regions of the universe.
This is a live star show. The presenter will display the night sky on the planetarium’s dome ceiling and take you on a tour, pointing out the stars, planets, and constellations that are visible in our area. Later, as you are walking along the beach on a clear night, you will be able to recognize by name the celestial sights you see.
Festival of Trees is an exciting opportunity to see the Museum decorated in beautiful holiday decor, as well as a fundraiser for the Museum of Coastal Carolina, Ingram Planetarium, and individual tree sponsors. The museum raises funds through admission to the festival and selling votes for favorite tree. Sponsors accrue funds through a silent auction for each tree’s lights and decorations.
The Festival of Trees opens on Thursday, Nov 10 and closes on Saturday, Dec 31, 2022. During that time the Festival will be open to the public on Thursday thru Saturday during regular open hours. Additional public hours from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm will be offered on the following Sundays: Nov 13, 20, and 27 as well as Dec 4, 11, and 18.
HoliDAY at the Museum is on Friday, Nov 25. This is a family friendly event including all day activities for children.
Coyote has a razor sharp wit, but he’s a little confused about what he sees in the sky. Join this amusing character (adapted from Native American oral traditions) in a fast-paced and fun show that explores lunar phases, eclipses and other puzzles.
Celebrate the New Year island style! Starting at 11:00 am on Saturday, Dec 31, the Town of OIB and the Museum of Coastal Carolina are pa
rtnering up for a fun New Year’s Eve celebration for all ages, Noon Year’s Eve. Visit the museum for a program making noisemakers, and hats and an exciting fireworks experiment. As noon approaches, travel to Town Center Park and countdown to a beach ball piñata drop from the OIB Fire Department’s ladder truck. The ball will drop at noon and participants are invited to celebrate with hot chocolate and party favors. Noon Year’s Eve is a free event and all children will receive a discount coupon to visit the Museum of Coastal Carolina.
Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body. Discover the perils that lurk in space as ‘Chad’, our test astronaut, is subjected to everything that space has to throw at him.
All Sky Theater shows are family friendly and include a brief star show after the main presentation. The Planetarium’s new offering, Red-eye to the Stars—the flying observatory SOFIA, shows the unique atmosphere during a science flight aboard the “Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy” (SOFIA) and follow how the secrets of the universe are uncovered by witnessing an expedition for a glimpse into hidden regions of the universe.
This is a live star show. The presenter will display the night sky on the planetarium’s dome ceiling and take you on a tour, pointing out the stars, planets, and constellations that are visible in our area. Later, as you are walking along the beach on a clear night, you will be able to recognize by name the celestial sights you see.