By Planetarium staff—
All planetarium programs are free of charge, cash donations are accepted at the door. No tickets or reservations are required for public planetarium shows. www.bsu.edu/planetarium
May – June
Our Night Sky
Fridays: May 17, & June 14, 21 at 5 p.m.
People often peer into the darkness of the night sky and wonder, “what is out there?” Seemingly dark regions of space are actually filled with nebulae, star clusters, and other galaxies. Come learn how to navigate the sky by using bright stars and constellations with the help of a star chart, and discover what fascinating objects exist deep in space.
Most suitable for all ages 8+, all ages welcome
Moons: Worlds of Mystery
Fridays: May 17, & June 14, 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturdays: May 18, & June 15, 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Take a journey through our solar system and explore the remarkable diversity—and surprising might—of moons! From volcanoes and geysers to ice-covered oceans and methane rain, these natural satellites have some spectacular features, and many even exert a surprising influence on their planetary partners. Learn what these celestial bodies reveal about the history and workings of our solar system.
Suitable for all ages 8+, all ages are welcome.
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
Saturdays: May 18, & June 15, 22 at 3:30 p.m.
“One World, One Sky” is a brilliant program that follows Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a new friend from China. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the Moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. They will also find shapes in the sky that will help them find the North Star. This cross-cultural adventure opens children’s eyes to the sky, helping them see how people all over the world are connected.
Best suited for families and groups with pre-K through 1st grade learners, all ages are welcome.
Living Worlds
Saturdays: May 18, & June 15, 22 at 5:00 p.m.
Whether earthly or alien, all life leaves a trace. Join narrator Daveed Diggs on a journey through space and time to discover how life makes Earth livable, where it could be found elsewhere in the cosmos, and what new technologies we might use to find it. Along the way, you’ll learn how light and color can help us spot other living worlds even from vast distances—and develop a new appreciation for the one-of-a-kind planet right beneath our feet.
Suitable for all ages 10+, all ages are welcome.
July
Our Night Sky
Fridays: July 12, 19 at 5 p.m.
People often peer into the darkness of the night sky and wonder, “what is out there?” Seemingly dark regions of space are actually filled with nebulae, star clusters, and other galaxies. Come learn how to navigate the sky by using bright stars and constellations with the help of a star chart, and discover what fascinating objects exist deep in space.
Most suitable for all ages 8+, all ages welcome
Birth of Planet Earth
Fridays: July 12, 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturdays: July 13, 20 at 6:30 p.m.
How did Earth come to be a life-supporting planet? Where did our Moon come from? What does Earth’s history tell us about our chances of finding other worlds that are truly Earth-like? This show tells the twisted tale of our planet’s origins, and helps us explore the potential of other possible worlds like our own.
Suitable for all ages 10+, all ages are welcome.
Magic Tree House: Space Mission
Saturdays: July 13, 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Travel with Jack and Annie, stars of the Magic Tree House® best-selling children’s book series, as they search for answers to a mysterious riddle they discover in a written note signed “–M.” Peek into the treehouse and follow Jack and Annie on an exciting adventure as they meet a helpful astronomer and an astronaut. As they travel to an observatory and beyond into space, Jack and Annie nearly get … well, we don’t want to give the surprise away!
Best suited for families and groups with kids ages 6+, all ages are welcome.
ASTRONAUT
Saturdays: July 13, 20 at 5 p.m.
The exploration of space is the greatest endeavor that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut? Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut, explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, and discover the perils that lurk in space as we subject Chad, our test astronaut, to everything space has to throw at him. Narrated by Ewan McGregor.
Best suited for families and groups with kids ages 8+, all ages are welcome.
Program Information
- Cost: FREE, cash donations are accepted at the door. No reservations are required for public planetarium shows. However, plan to arrive early as seating is done on a first-come, first-served basis and seating is limited.
- Runtime: Approximately 50 minutes total with live sky tour.
- We do our best to have doors open 30 minutes before show time.
- The planetarium is located on the west end of the Cooper Science Complex, at 2111 W. Riverside Ave., Muncie.
- Food, drinks, gum or candy are not allowed in the planetarium.
- Cellphones and any electronics that emit light must be silenced or turned off at the start of all programs. Please refrain from wearing light-up shoes to any planetarium programs.
- Children 17 years and under should be accompanied by an adult.
- We greatly appreciate your support to make our programs possible, and cash donations are accepted at the door.
For directions and parking information, as well as general policies, please visit the Charles W. Brown Planetarium website.
Interested in scheduling a private educational visit to the planetarium? Request a planetarium visit for your Ball State class or group online.
