'Little Star that Could' opens Nov. 15 at Mueller Planetarium

"Sometimes being average can also be special" is the byword of a new fulldome planetarium show for young audiences beginning Nov. 15 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Mueller Planetarium.

"The Little Star That Could" is a digital remake of a classic planetarium show in which an average yellow star travels the universe searching for some planets of his own. Along the way, he meets other stars, learns what makes each star special, and discovers that stars combine to form star clusters and galaxies. Eventually, Little Star finds his planets, and each planet is introduced to the audience with basic information about our Solar System.

"'Little Star' was one of the most popular shows we have ever presented for young audiences in its original slide-based format," said Jack Dunn, planetarium supervisor. "This new version takes the show to a much higher level with 3-D character animations."

The show will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 15 through Jan. 25. The program "Black Holes," is presented Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.

"Little Star" was realized digitally by Audio Visual Imagineering of Orlando, Fla. "Little Star" is presented in the "full dome" immersive format with the universe filling the entire planetarium dome. It is 30 minutes long and followed by an optional short survey of the current night sky. A trailer can be seen at the planetarium's website, www.spacelaser.com.

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 younger. 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.