The Irene V. Hylton Planetarium is a premier educational and entertainment facility located at C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia. The planetarium serves as a sophisticated space science resource for the Prince William County Public Schools. It features a 30-foot curved dome where visitors can observe high-definition projections of the night sky, planets, and distant galaxies. The planetarium recently underwent a massive "top-to-bottom" renovation that stripped the room to its cinder blocks to install state-of-the-art technology, including a new dome, upgraded premium seating, and a cutting-edge Konica Minolta 4K Sigma System projector—one of only a few of its kind in the United States.
Beyond traditional Astronomy, the planetarium is renowned for its immersive entertainment, specifically its vibrant laser light shows. These productions combine a SkyLase FX projector system with surround sound music and mid-air beam effects to create a multi-sensory experience that takes guests on a completely different experience from the expected standard star gazing.
As a community resource, the Irene V. Hylton Planetarium offers structured educational programs aligned to Virginia’s Standards of Learning for various grade-level visitors. Everything from kindergarten students becoming Accidental Astronauts to fifth graders going on a Solar System Odyssey. Even high school students get in on the different adventures, from Astronomy students exploring the stars to Oceanography students going on Expedition Reef.
Beyond the school system shows, which is the planetarium’s main function, it also offers a variety of private booking options, such as birthday parties, scout groups, as well as wedding proposals and bah mitzvahs. The possibilities are endless!