It is a new look for viewing the planets and stars.
The Illinois State University Planetarium will open a new show June 13 to highlight recent renovations.
Since opening in 1964, the Planetarium has brought astronomy to students and the public across the state. The re-envisioned Planetarium includes an entirely new layout for the star theater, new seating, updated lighting system, and expanded video and sound capability.
The Planetarium will present “Out There – The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds,” at 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, and at 7:30 p.m. Fridays from June 13-July 28. There are no shows on June 27-30, July 4, and July 14.
“Out There” sweeps the viewer from this world to entirely new and unimagined vistas. The program begins by exploring the primitive science fiction of early civilizations. Then it journeys into the future to experience space missions that visit the cratered surfaces and deep oceans of distant moons in our Solar System. Finally, it probes the deepest mysteries of the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond.
After each program, viewers will explore highlights found in the current evening sky; including the bright stars, constellations, and planets visible from Central Illinois.
Admission to the ISU Planetarium is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 5-12 and seniors, and $2 for children ages 3-4. Tickets are available in the Planetarium Gift Shop next to the Planetarium, beginning 20 minutes before each show.
The ISU Planetarium is located under the white-domed roof at the eastern end of Felmley Hall of Science Annex. Felmley Hall is located on the northeast corner of the ISU campus at the intersection of College Avenue and School Street.
Inexpensive parking for the 2 p.m. Wednesday matinees is available in the ISU visitor lot, located on West Locust Street. Free parking for the weekend programs is available a short distance from the ISU Planetarium in the University’s red tag F-67 parking lot, located on the east side of School Street.
For more information, call the ISU Physics Department at (309) 438-8756 or visit the website.
