April 2015 Friends of the Planetarium Programming: NASA

Captain David M Brown, for whom the planetarium is named, was born on April 16. 1956. In honor of his 59th birthday, the weekend of April 17-19 will focus on NASA, exploring the universe, and the manned spaceflight program. In addition to a selection of four spectacular full-dome shows, this weekend will feature a very special documentary, based on personal video shot by Dave Brown and other members of the Columbia crew. On Sunday afternoon, a free intermission show will be presented - "Images of the Universe" - a retrospective of some of the most iconic and significant images and videos acquired by NASA over the past 50 years.

Friday, April 17, 6:30 pm

Showing of the full-dome film Black Holes: the Other Side of Infinity

Black Holes. Credit: http://www.spitzinc.com.

Black Holes: the Other Side of Infinity is one of the most successful full-dome shows ever produced. Narrated by Academy-Award nominated actor Liam Neeson, this cutting-edge production features high-resolution visualizations of cosmic phenomena, working with data generated by computer simulations, to bring the current science of black holes to the dome screen. Audiences will be dazzled with striking, immersive animations of the formation of the early universe, star birth and death, the collision of giant galaxies, and a simulated flight to a super-massive black hole lurking at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy.

Target Audience: ages 9 and older and their families.

Running Time: 24 minutes.

Friday, April 17, 7:30 pm

Astronaut Diaries: Remembering the Shuttle Columbia Crew

This 1-hour documentary, based on video shot by Dave Brown and the other Columbia astronauts, reveals many "behind the scenes" details of astronaut training and amusing traditions of the astronaut corps. Follow the Columbia crew through two years of preparation for the flight of STS-107.

Duration: one hour; Recommended for ages nine and older.

Saturday, April 18, 6:30 pm

Presentation of the full-dome film Oasis in Space

One of Spitz’ most popular full-dome shows, Oasis in Space transports the audience on a startling and beautiful voyage through our universe, galaxy, and solar system in search of liquid water, a key ingredient for life on Earth. Spitz Creative Media.

Target Audience: all ages

Running Time: 24 minutes

Saturday, April 18, 7:30 pm

Astronaut Diaries: Remembering the Shuttle Columbia Crew

See above.

Sunday, April 19, 1:30 pm

Perfect Little Planet

Perfect Little Planet.

Fly over the surface of Pluto, dive down the ice cliffs of Miranda, sail through the rings of Saturn, feel the lightning storms at Jupiter and walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination would you choose? This is the solar system.

Program duration: 30 min; Suitable for all ages

Intermission

A free intermission show, "Images of the Universe" - a retrospective of some of the most iconic and significant images and videos acquired by NASA over the past 50 years, will be offered between the two Sunday shows.

Sunday, April 19, 3:00 pm

Magic Tree House®: Space Mission

Travel with the brother-sister duo, Jack and Annie in their Magic Tree House® as they proceed to answer the questions left for them in a mysterious note signed “-M.” The show begins with narration by Mary Pope Osborne, author of the best-selling Magic Tree House® children’s book series. Viewers will find themselves perched high in the trees as Jack and Annie discover the note that asks them to answer a series of six questions about space. Magic Tree House®: Space Mission is best suited for ages 5 to 12 and their families. Older children familiar with the book series may also enjoy the show.

Running Time: 35 minutes

Alice Monet and Karin McLaughlin contributed text to this article.

Click on a show to buy tickets