Stars: the Powerhouse of the Universe

Every star has a story. Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten. Journey to the furthest reaches of our galaxy and experience both the awesome beauty and destructive power of stars. Mark Hamill will walk you through the dynamic process of how stars are formed, exciting adventures in space exploration, the significance of the electromagnetic spectrum in observing the universe, as well as the rich cultural history of astronomy from around the world.

Totality

“Totality” is a fascinating look at all the wonders of eclipses, especially total solar eclipses. An eclipse is described simply as when one celestial object blocks another from our view. This program, produced by Bays Mountain Planetarium, examines what eclipses are, how and when they occur, and what wonderful sights they create. We also look back to a fascinating period in scientific discovery when general relativity was proven with the photographic recording of a total solar eclipse. Our production includes a variety of wonderful styles – from spectacular space environments to humorous pop-up books. A very special part of the show relates, in a very human way, what happens when you are caught in the shadow of the Moon and the Sun is plunged into a total solar eclipse.

Habitat Earth

Living networks connect and support life forms large and small—from colonies of tiny microbes and populations of massive whales to ever-expanding human societies. In the California Academy of Sciences’ latest original planetarium show, discover what it means to live in today’s connected world. Through stunning visualizations of the natural world, dive below the ocean’s surface to explore the dynamic relationships found in kelp forest ecosystems, travel beneath the forest floor to see how Earth’s tallest trees rely on tiny fungi to survive, and journey to new heights to witness the intricate intersection between human and ecological networks.

Earth, Moon & Sun

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center created Earth, Moon & Sun to help children explore the relationship between our home planet and its most familiar neighbors. Children are helped in their exploration by Coyote, a character adapted from Native American oral traditions. Native American stories woven throughout the show illustrate how we have long sought to understand our planet and the skies above us. In this show, Coyote proves to be an amusing guide because he has so many misconceptions about space.

From Earth to the Universe

Very broad in scope, the show begins with some brief history of how we have progressed in our understanding of the universe. In the past one hundred years we have grown exponentially and with the aid of the tech industry we are now able to observe aspects of the universe for the first time. Enjoy a nice trip through the solar system with stunning visuals and a top-notch narration.

Discover the Stars

On a clear, dark night, most of us, at one time or another, have gazed upon the stars and wondered about all those tiny points of light. Many of us are able to identify different patterns and constellations in the stars. But, what are those tiny points of light? This exciting program takes viewers beyond a simple observation of the night sky and delves into the fascinating lives of stars.

The Little Star That Could

Children love a good underdog story. This full-dome presentation is about the newest baby star in the sky Little Star. He quickly discovers he is just an average star, but he yearns to become special and have planets of his own. Along the way in his quest, he meets other stars and learns what makes each star special. He also discovers much about planets and what it takes to lead a solar system.