All programs are free and open to the public.
Tour of the Late Summer Sky
Aug 24 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Aug 31 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Take a live tour of the late summer sky in the Brown Planetarium. You will learn how to find constellations, planets, and more. Come learn how to navigate the sky by using bright stars and constellations, and discover what fascinating objects exist deep in space.
Suitable for all ages 8+
Exploring the Center of the Milky Way
Sept 14 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Sept 21 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Sept 28 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Our Sun is just one star in a galaxy of at least 100 billion stars. This galaxy, the Milky Way, is shaped like a giant pancake that is more than a 100,000 light years wide. Astronomers have long wondered what the center of our galaxy is like but clouds of interstellar dust block the view in visible light. In recent years the advance of technology has changed all this. Astronomers can now view the galactic center in the infrared and radio wavelengths. These images show the center of the Milky Way is home to some very strange objects including a giant black hole. Join us on a live, guided tour of discovery.
Suitable for all ages 12+
Halloween: Celestial Origins
Oct 5 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Oct 19 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Oct 26 at 6:30pm and 8pm
What do you associate with Halloween? Trick-or-Treating, costumes… astronomy? After all, Halloween is an astronomical holiday! During this program you will learn the history of Halloween and how it fits into the seasons as a “cross-quarter day.” We will also explore the night sky and learn what planets, constellations, and stars will be out on your Halloween evening.
Suitable for all ages 10+
Juno at Jupiter
Nov. 2 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Nov. 9 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Nov. 16 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Join us as we explore what NASA’s Juno spacecraft is telling us about the largest planet in our solar system. Juno’s principal goal is to understand the origin and evolution of Jupiter. Instruments on Juno are revealing swirling clouds, intense aurora and deep weather systems – plus information on the spinning Great Red Spot. Underneath its dense cloud cover, Jupiter safeguards secrets to the fundamental processes and conditions that governed our solar system during its formation. Come learn what we are finding out.
Suitable for all ages 10+
The Christmas Star
Nov 30 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Dec 7 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Dec 14 at 6:30pm and 8pm
Over the years many people have tried to explain the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem, as described in the Bible. Can the star be explained as an exploding star, a comet or some other natural event in the sky? Potential natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem and common modern-day misconceptions will be discussed.
Suitable for all ages 10+
Planetarium Information
- Planetarium shows are free of charge. We appreciate your support to make this possible.
- No tickets or reservations are required for public planetarium shows, but plan to arrive early as seating is done on a first-come, first-served basis. We do our best to open doors 30 minutes before show time.
Food, drinks, gum or candy are not permitted in the planetarium. - Children 17 years and under should be accompanied by an adult.
- Cellphones and any electronics that emit light must be turned off at the start of all programs. Please refrain from wearing light-up shoes to any planetarium programs.
- Please do not touch any of the planetarium equipment.
- The planetarium is located on the west end of the Cooper Science Complex, at 2000 W. Riverside Ave., Muncie.
For directions and parking information, as well as general policies, please visit the Charles W. Brown Planetarium website.
