Mueller Planetarium sets fall fulldome schedule

Released on 08/13/2009, at 9:20 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, through Oct. 1, 2009

WHERE: Mueller Planetarium, Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine Streets

Lincoln, Neb., August 13th, 2009 —

Beginning the week of Aug. 17, Mueller Planetarium at the University of Nebraska State Museum will go to its fall schedule, presenting astronomy shows only on Thursday nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons in Nebraska's first fulldome digital projection theater.

Programming begins Aug. 20 featuring a show about the history of the telescope, another chronicling feats in space exploration and a third about the mysterious phenomena of black holes.

The schedule through Oct. 1 (except UNL home football game Saturdays, Sept. 5, 12 and 26):

* Thursdays, 7 p.m. -- "Black Holes"

* Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. -- "Two Small Pieces of Glass"

* Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. -- "Dawn of the Space Age"

"Black Holes" takes audiences on a journey through one of the most mystifying, awe-inspiring phenomena in the universe. Witness the bending of light, the skewing of perception, and the dizzying descent... into a black hole. This immersive show, narrated by Star Trek's John de Lancie, explores the latest scientific theories on how these mysterious objects are formed and where they are hiding now (40 min.).

"Two Small Pieces of Glass" is a show celebrating telescopes produced for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. It follows the history of the telescope from Galileo through today's modern observatories, with an emphasis on amateur telescopes and "star parties" (25 min.).

"Dawn of the Space Age" traces the history of space exploration, starting with the launch of the first artificial satellite Sputnik, through the Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle Space Station missions and ending with Mars exploration. People of all ages will be captivated as this animated film transports them into the cosmos, allowing them to relive -- or witness for the first time -- these incredible feats in space history (32 min.).

All shows include an optional viewing of the current night sky, its stars and constellations.

Mueller Planetarium is in the University of Nebraska State Museum (Morrill Hall), just south of 14th and Vine streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus. Tickets to planetarium shows include admission to the museum. Prices are $8 for adults, $5.50 for children 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.

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