HomeFeaturesEntertainmentGet Ready for Thor: Ragnarok by Visiting these Out-of-this-World Places

Get Ready for Thor: Ragnarok by Visiting these Out-of-this-World Places

Fans of Marvel Comics and their blockbuster films are on the edges of their seats, awaiting the release of one of the most highly anticipated superhero films of the year, Thor: Ragnarok. The movie serves as the third in Marvel Studios’ Thor trilogy as well as the 17th overall film in the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In addition, the movie’s release also celebrates the 55th anniversary of both Thor and the Incredible Hulk as comic characters.

Thor: Ragnarok releases in the U.S. on November 3. Of course, to get you prepared for all of the outer space heroism, Best of NJ has compiled a list of some of the best planetariums and observatories in the state. In fact, each offers the chance to explore some out-of-this-world galaxies as you search for the path of Thor in his upcoming epic.


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Dreyfuss Planetarium

Where: Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark
Price: Adults: $6; children (under 12), seniors, college students and veterans: $4
Details: The Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium was made with astronomy lovers in mind. This spectacular interactive theater is perfect for learning about astronomy, space and planetary science. Guests can explore the constellations and travel through the galaxies in various programs offered by the museum in this one-of-a-kind planetarium.
More info: Visit www.newarkmuseum.org or call 973-596-6550.


Universe Revealed: Views from the Hubble Space Telescope

Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
Price: Adults: $21.75; children: $17.75
Details: This special exhibition at Liberty Science Center lets guests see some of the Hubble Telescope’s greatest hits in a gallery-style presentation of captivating, over-sized prints. The Hubble Telescope has viewed some of the most breathtaking scenes in history, and this exclusive exhibit allows the public to gaze at these sites and even take coveted selfies with them!
More info: Visit lsc.org or call 201-200-1000.

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Thor: Ragnarok partially takes place on the planet of Sakaar. In the film, the planet is primarily a trash dump for nearby planets.

Longo Planetarium

Where: County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph
Price: $10
Details: The Madeline D. and Joseph J. Longo Planetarium has reopened with a brand new planetarium and digital theater, which both offer more capabilities than ever before. While the school utilizes the dome for a number of their courses, Longo also hosts public shows during select weekends throughout the month. The new sound system, lighting and exciting gallery of space images provide each visitor with a thorough look of the cosmos.
More info: Visit www.ccm.edu or call 973-328-5000.


New Jersey State Museum Planetarium

Where: 205 W. State Street, Trenton
Price: Adults: $7; children (12 and under): $5
Details: This high definition planetarium allows visitors to dive right into space as soon as they enter. This is the largest planetarium in New Jersey, with precision projection of more than 6,000 stars as well as a state-of-the-art full DomeVideo. Planetarium shows are offered to the public on weekends during the school year.
More info: Visit www.state.nj.us or call 609-292-1382.

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Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) prepare for battle atop the Rainbow Bridge.

Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium

Where: 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg
Price: $8
Details: RVCC’s digital planetarium uses the SkySkan DigitalSky system to recreate the day and night skies from here on Earth and beyond for unique shows every weekend. Moreover, Its 3M observatory, which first opened four years ago, consists of three buildings, one of which houses a 16-inch Meade telescope that allows visitors to peer deep into outer space. The other buildings also hold a number of other telescopes for all of your space-viewing pleasure.
More info: Visit www.raritanval.edu or call 908-231-8805.


Robert J. Novins Planetarium

Where: Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River
Price: Adults: $10; seniors: $8; children (12 and under): $7
Details: This planetarium by the New Jersey Shore is one of the largest in the state. The establishment, with newly designed technology, provides guests of all ages with unforgettable experiences as they explore the wonders of outer space. It offers a number of hour-long shows throughout the month and is even a great spot for birthday parties.
More info: Visit www.ocean.edu or call 732-255-0343.


Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory at Rutgers

Where: 136 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway
Price: Free
Details: You can find this observatory in the dome on the roof of the Serin Physics Laboratories on the Busch Campus of the State University of New Jersey. The observatory welcomes guests from Rutgers and the public to gaze at the night sky through a 20-inch optical telescope on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month from October through March.
More info: Visit observatory.rutgers.edu or call 732-735-5483.

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Hulk battling the fire demon Surtur in a climactic battle to save the Nine Realms from Ragnarok.

William Miller Sperry Observatory

Where: Union County Community College, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford
Price: Free
Details: The observatory encompasses an 18-foot East Dome and a 20-foot West Dome, which both house two of the largest telescopes on the East Coast available for amateur use. Individuals and groups can come view some “stellar” celestial objects through the telescopes every Friday evening throughout the year, weather permitting.
More info: Visit asterism.org or contact info@asterism.org.


Jean and Ric Edelman Planetarium

Where: Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro
Price: Adults: $5; seniors, children (16 and under); Rowan students: $3
Details: Rowan’s own dynamic planetarium offers live stargazing and immersive 360-degree video on its digital sky. The planetarium is showcasing several entertaining shows throughout the fall season, and guests can also observe the evening sky through a 16-inch telescope and multiple other smaller telescopes during the Observatory Open House nights twice a month.
More info: Visit sites.rowan.edu or call 856-256-4389.


Peyton Hall Astronomical Observatory

Where: Princeton University, 4 Ivy Lane, Princeton
Price: Free
Details: The Department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton hosts informal open houses at Peyton Hall’s observatory every month. During these public observing opportunities, guests are able to view planets, nebulae, open clusters, global clusters, galaxies and more through a 12-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Students of the astrophysical field studies also are happy to answer any questions you may have during the event.
More info: Visit www.astro.princeton.edu or call 609-258-3801.


Hero (Top) Feature Image: © Thor / Marvel Studios LLC
Additional Images (in Order) Courtesy:
Thor: Ragnarok / Marvel Studios LLC

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