By Planetarium Staff—
MUNCIE, IN—Journey through space and time at free public and private programs in Indiana’s largest planetarium.
All regularly scheduled planetarium programs are free of charge, cash donations are accepted at the door. No tickets or reservations are required for public planetarium shows except for our annual “Astronomy SLAM!”.
Check out the showtimes below, or visit the Charles W. Brown Planetarium website for more information at www.bsu.edu/planetarium. Interested in scheduling a private educational visit to the planetarium? Request a planetarium visit online for your Ball State class or group online.
August
Living Worlds
Fridays: Aug. 23, 30 at 5:00pm (special early showing)
Saturdays: Aug. 24, 31 at 5:00pm
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.
Summer Skies Live
Fridays: Aug. 23, 30 at 6:30pm
Saturdays: Aug. 24, 31 at 6:30pm
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.
Kitz the Cat’s SuperMoon Adventure
Saturdays: Aug. 24, 31 at 3:30pm
Develop an understanding of the danger of space junk and humanity’s moon exploration while following adventurous cat astronauts! The Earth in the far future, where humanity no longer exists. Cats that survived in the debris left behind by humanity have evolved into intelligent beings. Three cats – Kitz, Tutti, and Pepe – are working as cleaners at NYASA and today’s mission is to clean up space junk. But these unpredictable street cats skip some of their work and fly to the Moon!
Best suited for families and groups with kids ages 6+, all ages are welcome.
September
Big Astronomy
Fridays: Sept. 13, 20 at 5:00pm (special early showing)
Saturdays: Sept. 14, 21 at 5:00pm
It takes many people with diverse backgrounds, talents, and skills to run observatories. Journey to three world-class observatories in Chile’s rugged Andes Mountains and arid Atacama Desert— remote, extreme regions that happen to have the perfect conditions for astronomical research. Along the way, meet an inspiring cast of astronomers, engineers, technicians, and support staff who keep these mega-machines running and learn about their work.
Suitable for all ages 10+, all ages are welcome.
We Are Stars
Fridays: Sept. 13, 20 at 6:30pm
Saturdays: Sept. 14, 21 at 6:30pm
Narrated by Andy Serkis, this program seeks to answer some of the biggest questions of all time. What are we made of? Where did it all come from? Explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry, our explosive origins and connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe. A family-friendly film full of fun, adventure, and enlightenment.
Most suitable for all ages 8+, all ages welcome.
Kitz the Cat’s SuperMoon Adventure
Saturdays: Sept. 14, 21 at 3:30pm
Develop an understanding of the danger of space junk and humanity’s moon exploration while following adventurous cat astronauts! The Earth in the far future, where humanity no longer exists. Cats that survived in the debris left behind by humanity have evolved into intelligent beings. Three cats – Kitz, Tutti, and Pepe – are working as cleaners at NYASA and today’s mission is to clean up space junk. But these unpredictable street cats skip some of their work and fly to the Moon!
Best suited for families and groups with kids ages 6+, all ages are welcome.
October
Halloween: Celestial Origins
Fridays: Oct. 4, 11, 18 at 6:30pm
Saturdays: Oct. 5, 12, 19 at 6:30pm
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 8+, all ages are welcome.
Saturn & Beyond
Saturdays: Oct. 5, 12, 19 at 5:00pm
Saturn’s rings are one of the most beautiful sights in the solar system. They can be seen clearly even with a small backyard telescope. Astronomers have known about these rings for over 400 years, yet they still present many questions. In 2004 the Cassini orbiter and the Huygens probe reached Saturn. During this show we will explore the mysterious features seen by these spacecraft.
Suitable for all ages 10+, all ages are welcome.
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Saturdays: Oct. 5, 12, 19 at 3:30pm
Coyote has many misconceptions about our home planet and its most familiar neighbors. His confusion about the universe makes viewers think about how Earth, Moon and Sun work together as a system and learn to distinguish between myths and science. Learn the basics of fusion and solar energy and why the Sun rises and sets.
Best suited for families and groups with kids ages 8+, all ages are welcome.
November
Saturday, Nov. 2 at 6:30pm (tickets required)
Cost: $4/person, buy tickets available online
During this event, Ball State students use planetarium visuals to present in the most creative way they can while competing. Ten minutes a person—that is all the time they have to share a piece of our universe with you in the planetarium in an effort to win Astronomy Slam Champion.
Suitable for all ages 10+, all ages are welcome.
Interested in being a student presenter? Fill out the presenter interest form online by September 20, 2024.
The Universe Update
Fridays: Nov. 8, 15 at 6:30pm
Saturdays: Nov. 9, 16 at 6:30pm
Travel through our universe in both space and time during this live presentation and learn about the most recent and exciting astronomy news. Hear updates about the JWST team and their findings, learn about stellar evolution and black holes, and find out how space exploration and research can help us out on Earth.
Suitable for all ages 12+, all ages are welcome.
Birth of Planet Earth
Saturdays: Nov. 9, 16 at 5:00pm
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.
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
Saturdays: Nov. 9, 16 at 3:30pm
“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.
December
The Christmas Star
Fridays: Dec. 6, 13 at 6:30pm
Saturdays: Dec. 7, 14 at 5:00pm & 6:30pm
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+, all ages are welcome.
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
Saturdays: Dec. 7, 14 at 3:30pm
“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.
Program Information
- The planetarium is located on the west end of the Cooper Science Complex, at 2111 W. Riverside Ave., Muncie.
- Cost: FREE, cash donations are accepted at the door. No reservations are required for public planetarium shows except for our annual “Astronomy SLAM!”. 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.
- 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.
For directions and parking information, as well as general policies, please visit the Charles W. Brown Planetarium website.
