From one of the 150 reclining seats under a 52-foot dome, Ball State students and the Muncie community can explore the cosmos during five free shows offered at the Charles W. Brown Planetarium this semester.
The planetarium’s doors open 30 minutes before each show, and seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Shows typically last 40 minutes.
Children 17-years-old and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Cellphones and other electronics that emit must be turned off before each show starts because these electronics may affect others from viewing the show.
We Are Stars
6:30 p.m. Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 6, 7, 13, 14
8 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 7, 14
At this showing, viewers will delve into answers to two questions: what are humans are made of, and where did they come from? With English actor and director Andy Serkis narrating the film, guests will explore how our evolving universe brought life on Earth.
Into the Darkness
6:30 p.m. Sept. 27, 28 and Oct. 4, 5
8 p.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 5
The planetarium staff with teach guests how to use certain stars and constellations to navigate the sky during this showing at the Brown Planetarium. With this knowledge, viewers can discover what lurks in seeming “dark regions” in the night sky.
Halloween: Celestial Origins
6:30 p.m. Oct. 18, 19. 25, 26
8 p.m. Oct. 19, 26
Get into the Halloween spirit with this showing at the Brown Planetarium. This program discusses Halloween’s origins as an astronomical holiday. Planetarium staff will also show viewers what planets, stars and constellations will be visible during their time trick-or-treating on Oct. 31.
Dawn of the Space Age
6:30 p.m. Nov. 8, 9, 15, 16
8 p.m. Nov. 9, 16
Guests visiting the Brown Planetarium during Dawn of the Space Age will step into a reconstruction of human’s first travels into space. Viewers will learn about historic feats, such as landing on the moon, and the dedication of those involved in these trips out of our world.
The Christmas Star
6:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14
8 p.m. Dec. 7, 14
Viewers can investigate the possible explanations for the Star of Bethlehem as well as discuss common modern-day misconceptions about the star during the Brown Planetarium’s final show of the semester.