Mueller Planetarium show explores many things 'You didn't know'

Modern astronomy and space science discoveries continue on an almost every day basis. It seems impossible to keep up with all the new knowledge coming to us from space. The average person may find it hard to keep up or even to find all the stories in major press accounts.

But now, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Mueller Planetarium is here to help with a new show called "Did You Know?" The show asks such questions as:

* "Did you know we have two rovers still working on Mars?"
* "Did you know the North Star is not the brightest star."
* "Did you know we have a spacecraft still sending back spectacular images from Saturn?"
* "Did you know the Hubble Space Telescope recently celebrated its 15th anniversary?"

And there are many more topics. This fast-paced family show is a Mueller Planetarium production with a running time of approximately 35 minutes.

"There are so many topics that I will mention in a public talk and have someone come up afterwards and say, 'I didn't know those rovers were still working on Mars' or 'I thought the North Star was supposed to be the brightest star,'" said Jack Dunn, planetarium coordinator. "I put together this program to help explain quite a few of these items that I believe are misunderstood or simply not known at all by the general public. We are living in one of the greatest eras of astronomical discovery -- and yet, I think many people don't realize this."

"Did You Know?" will be presented at 3 p.m. July 19-24; at 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays July 26-Aug. 21; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. beginning Aug. 27 and running through the fall (except Saturdays of Nebraska home football games, when astronomy shows will not be presented). "Did You Know?" is one of three astronomy shows now being presented at Mueller Planetarium, including "Point of No Return" on quasars and supermassive black holes and the children's program, "Sol & Company."

The planetarium's astronomy show schedule arranged by date and time:

July 19-24 -- "Point of No Return," Tuesdays through Sundays at 2 p.m.; "Did You Know?" Tuesdays through Sundays at 3 p.m.; and "Sol & Company," Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m.

July 26-Aug. 21 -- "Did You Know?" Tuesdays through Sundays at 2 p.m.; "Point of No Return." Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 3 p.m.; and "Sol & Company," Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m.

Beginning Aug. 27 (fall schedule) -- "Did You Know?" Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (no shows on UNL home football Saturdays).

Mueller Planetarium is located in the University of Nebraska State Museum (Morrill Hall) at 14th and U streets on the UNL City Campus. Admission to planetarium astronomy shows is $6 for adults and $4 for all children and UNL students. This price includes museum admission. All tickets are sold at the front desk of the museum. Laser light shows are not currently being offered.

For further information, telephone Mueller Planetarium at (402) 472-2641 or visit its Web site (www.spacelaser.com).

CONTACT: Jack Dunn, Coordinator, Mueller Planetarium, (402) 472-2641