By Dayna Thompson, Planetarium Director—
MUNCIE, IN—All planetarium programs are free of charge, cash donations are accepted at the door. No tickets or reservations are required for these public planetarium shows.
Space Slays: The Killer Universe
Fridays: Oct. 2, 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturdays: Oct. 3, 17 at 6:30 p.m.
From intense radiation to killer black holes, learn about some of the deadliest objects in space that make you glad you’re safe on Earth. This program combines live presentation with a short fulldome film about killer black holes.
Recommended for adults and ages 12+.
Halloween: Celestial Origins
Fridays, Oct. 2, 16 at 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays: Oct. 3, 17 at 5:00 p.m.
Think Halloween is just candy and costumes? Discover its astronomical roots as a “cross-quarter day” and find out what stars and planets will light up your Halloween sky!
Recommended for adults and ages 8+.
Magic Tree House: Space Mission
Saturdays: Oct. 3, 17 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 and meet a helpful astronomer and astronaut.
Perfect for families and groups with K through 3rd grade learner
Worlds of Water
Friday: Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: Nov. 7 at 5:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
From icy moons to craters, discover where water hides in our solar system—and what it means for life on Earth.
Recommended for ages 10+.
Kitz the Cat’s SuperMoon Adventure
Friday: Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.
Saturday: Nov. 7 at 3:30 p.m.
Develop an understanding of the danger of space junk and humanity’s Moon exploration while following adventurous cat astronauts that fly to the Moon!
Best suited for families and groups with kids ages 6+.
Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. tickets required
Cost: $4/person, buy tickets online
In this fast-paced event, Ball State students compete for the title of Astronomy Slam Champion by using planetarium visuals to present a piece of the universe to you—each with just ten minutes to shine.
Suitable for adults and ages 10+.
The Christmas Star
Fridays: Dec. 4, 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturdays: Dec. 5, 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a program that explores possible natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem—from a brilliant exploding star to a passing comet and more.
Recommended for adults and ages 10+.
Solar Superstorms
Saturdays: Dec. 5, 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Learn about the Sun’s powerful magnetic fields and superhot plasma that vent in dramatic flares, violent solar tornadoes, and the largest eruptions in the solar system: Coronal Mass Ejections.
Recommended for adults and ages 12+.
Accidental Astronauts
Fridays: Dec. 4, 11 at 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays: Dec. 5, 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Follow the adventures of Sy, Annie, and their dog Armstrong as they embark on an unexpected journey into space!
Perfect for families and groups with K through 3rd grade learners.
Program Information
- The planetarium is located on the west end of the Cooper Science Building, at 2111 W. Riverside Ave. in Muncie.
- General public planetarium shows are free of charge unless otherwise noted.
- No reservations or tickets are required unless otherwise noted. Cash donations are accepted at the door.
- Programs start promptly at the advertised time. Doors close once full or five (5) minutes after showtime, and no entry is permitted after that time. The room gets dark after the start time, and we strongly recommend arriving early.
- Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. We recommend arriving early as seating is done on a first-come, first-served basis and seating is limited. We offer hands-on activities before most shows.
- Programs run approximately 50 minutes long and include a live sky tour.
- We ask that no food, drinks, gum, or candy be brought inside the planetarium.
- Please silence or turn off all cellphones and electronics that emit light and keep them put away during programs. We also ask that light-up shoes not be worn in the planetarium.
- Children should be accompanied by an adult. If you’re unsure whether a program is age-appropriate, please contact the planetarium.
- The planetarium, along with the entire Ball State campus, is a tobacco-free environment.
For more information, visit the planetarium website at www.bsu.edu/planetarium.