Morehead suspends operations through April 3, cancels NC Science Festival

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center announced Wednesday that it will suspend public operations until Friday, April 3, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Posted 3:12 p.m. Mar 18, 2020 — Updated 3:12 p.m. Mar 18, 2020

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

, Go Ask Mom editor

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Morehead Planetarium and Science Center announced Wednesday that it will suspend public operations until Friday, April 3, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

That means scheduled planetarium shows are canceled for the next couple of weeks, the gift shop is closed and all onsite programs and community events are on hold.

The North Carolina Science Festival, an initiative of Morehead with events planned across the state through the month of April, also has been canceled.

"This decision was made after much deliberation, and in conjunction with Morehead senior leadership and staff, as well as university leadership and counsel," according to the statement. Morehead is a unit of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Tickets purchased through Morehead’s online ticketing system for events from March 13 through April 3 will automatically be refunded by Monday, March 16.

"We are committed to finding additional ways to engage the public with science," Morehead said. "Please stay tuned for virtual learning opportunities."

Marbles Kids Museum, Kidzu Children's Museum, the Museum of Life and Sciences, state museums and also the North Carolina Zoo also are closed.

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