Big Bird, Elmo on fulldome schedule at Mueller Planetarium

            Mueller Planetarium at the University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall has announced its winter schedule, including two new shows that have been added to Nebraska's first fulldome digital projection theater.

            Beginning Dec. 11, the schedule will feature "Astralis," which explores the life cycle of stars, and "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure," featuring Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky.

            Mueller Planetarium's winter schedule through February:

• Thursdays at 7 p.m. -- "A Starry Tale"
• Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. -- "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure"
• Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. -- "Astralis"

            "One World, One Sky" follows Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon where they discover how different it is from Earth. (Total running time: 25 minutes)

            "Astralis" presents the visually enchanting life cycle of stars with an easily understandable narration. From the birth of a star in a stellar nursery to its journey towards a black hole or supernova, discover the phenomenon of a star's existence. The show is followed by a presentation of the current night sky. (Total running time: 25 minutes.)

            The schedule is subject to change. For more information about fulldome shows, go to the planetarium's website, http://www.spacelaser.com, or phone 402-472-2641.

            The University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History in Morrill Hall and Mueller Planetarium are south of 14th and Vine streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus. Parking is free in front of the museum. Planetarium tickets include museum admission and can be purchased at the museum's front desk the day of the show. Admission is $10 for adults (19 and older), $6 for children, and $4 for UNL staff, faculty, and students with valid NU ID. For more information on the museum, visit http://www.museum.unl.edu.

Writer: Mandy Haase-Thomas, University of Nebraska State Museum