From Dec. 3 through Feb. 28, Mueller Planetarium will feature shows exploring the current Nebraska night sky, the deep sea and mankind’s first journeys into space.
The schedule is:
Thursdays at 6 p.m.: “Big Red Sky Tour”
Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.: “Into the Deep”
Saturdays at noon and Sundays at 3 p.m.: “Dawn of the Space Age”
“Big Red Sky Tour” embarks on a galactic tour to discover what we can see with just our eyes or by using binoculars and telescopes. Explore deep-sky objects and cosmic gems found in our own solar system. Visitors will be able to identify constellations; uncover some of the wonderful facts, legends and ancient stories behind these patterns of stars; and see what makes astronomy so enchanting. (Running time: 30 minutes. Recommended for ages 7 and up.)
“Into the Deep” ventures to the lowest point of the Mariana Trench in the South Pacific. Visitors will come face to face with rarely seen marine organisms like the bioluminescent frogfish while navigating the evolution of deep-sea diving vessels used to explore the ocean environment. (Running time: 35 minutes. Recommended for ages 8 and up.)
“Dawn of the Space Age” begins with the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, to the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights. Be immersed in this historic reconstruction of humanity’s first steps into space. Who were these men and women who took part in these death-defying endeavors? Witness their drive, passion and perseverance to explore. (Running time: 45 minutes. Recommended for ages 10 and up.)
The schedule is subject to change. For more information about fulldome shows, visit the planetarium’s website at http://www.spacelaser.com or call 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 NCard. Children ages 3 and under are not admitted into the planetarium. For more information on the museum, visit http://www.museum.unl.edu.
