Everything Nac

The planetarium in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Cole STEM Building will offer three shows on Saturdays starting June 29.

“The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” is a matinee show that takes viewers on a journey through the solar system before landing on the dwarf planet Pluto. The show is at 3 p.m., and tickets are $3.

“Supervolcanoes,” presented at 4:30 p.m., explores volcanic phenomena and lets audiences experience recreations of cataclysmic past eruptions on earth. Offered at 7 p.m., “Dark Universe” introduces viewers to two cosmic mysteries — dark matter and dark energy.

“Hurtle through Jupiter’s atmosphere, sail out to the far reaches of space, and be there for the birth of our own galaxy while exploring how our understanding of the universe has evolved over time,” said Ed Michaels, planetarium director.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children, students, and faculty and staff with ID.

In addition to the regularly scheduled shows in July, the planetarium will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a special tribute. Prior to each show, visitors will view a recreation of the last three minutes of the moon landing using historic audio between the astronauts and mission control. Audiences will also get to view photos of the six Apollo landing sites using images taken by the astronauts.

“These are full panoramic views of the moon’s surface, and you will feel like you are standing on it,” Michaels said.

For more information, to make a group reservation or view the schedule, visit planetarium.sfasu.edu.

By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.