Mueller Planetarium explores black holes in new astronomy show

Imagine the most bizarre, magnificent places in the universe, and you'd probably imagine a black hole.

Thanks to a gift from the Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum, beginning Aug. 1, museum visitors will be able to experience these strange and powerful gravitational wells lurking in outer space in a new "fulldome" show at Mueller Planetarium.

Jack Dunn, Mueller Planetarium coordinator, said he looks forward to sharing with audiences the most exciting fulldome content yet. "One of the first questions people always ask is, what would happen if you fell in a Black Hole?" he said. "In this show you'll find out what would happen."

Produced at Salt Lake City's Clark Planetarium, the immersive show is narrated by John De Lancie of "Star Trek" fame. Running time is 40 minutes.

Following is the Mueller Planetarium schedule Aug. 1 through Aug. 24 (except Aug. 2, when a special 50th anniversary program is scheduled):

* Tuesdays through Sundays at 2 p.m. -- "Black Holes"
* Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. -- "Secret of the Cardboard Rocket"
* Saturdays at 1 p.m. -- "The Enchanted Reef"

Mueller Planetarium is in the University of Nebraska State Museum (Morrill Hall), 14th and U streets on the UNL City Campus. Tickets to planetarium shows include admission to the museum. Prices are $8 for adults, $5.50 for children age 5-18, and $2.50 for children 4 and under. For members of the Friends of NU State Museum with membership cards, tickets are $2.50 for adults and $2 for children. Tickets for UNL faculty, staff and students and immediate family are $3 (with valid UNL ID). Tickets are sold at the museum front desk the day of the show. For more information on planetarium shows, astronomy and space science, visit www.spacelaser.com. For more information on the museum, visit www.museum.unl.edu.