PLANETARIUM SHOW LIBRARY

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) alignment information is available on our Teacher's page. Groups arranging for private shows may choose any of the programs listed below. Suggested grade levels and program lengths are provided.

	Larry Cat in Space Grade: K-1 (30 minutes) When his best friend gets a job on the Moon, Larry the Cat finds a way to go along! Through Larry's adventure, we learn about cats, the Moon, and space travel in this enjoyable cartoon star show. This Loch Ness planetarium show production is also available in Spanish!
	Sky Quest Grades: K-2 (20 minutes) Come along with a young sky watcher on her personal quest to find a special place in the night sky. During the program, she shares her telescope views of the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn with us; points out stars and constellations; and encourages everyone to take the time to look up, even if stargazing in urban areas with light pollution. This program created was by Loch Ness Productions.
	The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket Grades: K-3 (35 minutes) Take a trip with two adventurous kids, and a very talkative astronomy book from the library, as they explore the planets of our solar system in their very own cardboard rocket. Along the way, they learn something special about each of the planets. By the way, do you think you can figure out the secret of the cardboard rocket? This program was created by the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City, UT.
	The Cowboy Astronomer Grades: 4+ (40 minutes) Join famous cowboy poet Baxter Black out on the open prairie under a beautiful starry night sky. Baxter Black's unique blend of western humor and storytelling makes this presentation come to life as you learn about the stars, constellations, and the motion of the sky. Baxter also explains such astronomical phenomena as supernovas and black holes in terms any cowpoke can understand in this Loch Ness production.
	More than Meets the Eye Grades: 4+ (30 minutes) There's something special in the night sky for everyone to find - all you have to do is look up! This program combines stargazing and constellation identification with planet viewing and locating deep sky objects like nebulas and galaxies. This program, produced by Loch Ness Productions, also shows you what to expect when you actually see these objects through a telescope and explains how astronomers produce those beautiful pictures of celestial objects you see in magazines and on the web.
	The Stars over Texas Grades: All (20-30 minutes) This program explores the parade of constellations that gallop across the night sky throughout the year. Current planet positions and other nightly treasures such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies are discussed. Program content is adjusted to fit the age/grade level of the audience. Groups requesting this program must also book another planetarium presentation.
	Stars of Jade Grades: All (30 minutes) The ancient Chinese were skilled observers of the night sky and kept accurate records of sunspots, comets, and supernovae (guest stars). This program shows you how the Chinese organized their sky, how they saw the stars and interpreted what they saw, and offers an explanation why western astronomers failed to see the same amazing celestial events during a thousand year period.
	Destination: Pluto Grades: 4+ (40 minutes) Take a ride on the imaginary space cruiser Titanic on an informative journey through the solar system. In this program, produced by the Paulucci Space Theater, you will explore the entire solar system including: the fiery surface of the Sun; the features of the Terrestrial planets; the swirling clouds, fantastic storms, marvelous moons, and magnificent rings of the Jovian planets; and the nature of comets and asteroids. This program also includes a detailed explanation why astronomers no longer consider Pluto to be a major planet.
	The Planets Grades: 6+ (40 minutes) Produced by the Southeast Planetarium Association, this program (narrated by Kate Mulgrew, best known for her role as Captain Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager) is a tour of the solar system. Incorporating images from numerous NASA mission, this program takes you to the many fantastic objects that make up our Solar System—from the blazing hot surface of the Sun, to the frozen crusts of tiny comets. The program concludes with a constellation tour pointing out the locations of several worlds (exoplanets) orbiting distant stars.
	Blown Away: The Wild World of Weather Grades: 4+ (45 minutes) This program, produced by The New Detroit Science Center, gives you an indepth look at the weather of planet Earth. Along with spectacular weather footage, this program features a journey into space to explore how the Sun effects weather conditions and on-screen appearances by news meteorologists to further uncover the science of our climate. A guide for teachers complete with classroom activities is available here. Note - This program was produced before the adoption of the Enhanced Fujita scale (EF scale) for tornado damage. Click here to the current EF scale.
	Hubble Vision Grades: 6+ (30 minutes) Since its launch in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided incredible images in unprecedented detail to astronomers, and made an astonishing array of discoveries. From nearby objects in the solar system to the most distant galaxies at the limits of the observable universe, Hubble has unlocked the secrets of the cosmos and uncovered even more questions.This Loch Ness production shows you the best and most exciting Hubble images, woven them into an engaging story of cosmic exploration. HUBBLE Vision is a fascinating tour of the cosmos from Earth orbit.
	Galaxies Grades: 6+ (40 minutes) Astronomy author Timothy Ferris is your guide to the most fabulous objects in the universe. Galaxies are the biggest things in the cosmos! Explore these fantastic structures filled with billions of stars, huge clouds of gas and dust, and other fascinating features. Galaxies, produced by the Hansen Planetarium, is a visual treat covering galaxies of all shapes and sizes across the entire cosmos.
	Journey into the Living Cell Grades: 6+ (30 minutes) During this Buhl Planetarium production (narrated by Gates McFadden who played Dr. Beverly Crusher in Star Trek TNG), the planetarium becomes a virtual submarine as you shrink down to see the workings of a living cell from the inside. Pass through the cell membrane to see up close the cell's powerhouse mitochondria. Take a voyage through the endoplasmic reticulum to learn about protein synthesis. Finally, enter the cell's nucleus to witness DNA replication and the process of mitosis.
	Native American Skies Grades: 4+ (45 minutes) The stories of the Native Americans are older than anyone knows. These are the sky stories of a people who lived in harmony with nature, the Earth, and the Sky. This program presents some of the legends told by the Cherokee, Iroquois, Sioux, and many more tribes. There is also a brief history of the conflict that resulted between the US western expansion efforts and the native tribes of North America in the 19th century following the Civil War. Produced as "The People" by the Hansen Planetarium in 1976.
	Navigating with Lewis and Clark Grades: 4+ (30 minutes) Travel along with the Corps of Discovery as they journey up the Missouri River from St. Louis, across the Great Plains, over the Rocky Mountains, and to the great Pacific Ocean beyond. Along the way, they will encounter Native American cultures, animals, harsh weather conditions, and territory never seen before by the white man. This program, produced by the Valley City State University Planetarium, is a travelogue of the exploration led by Lewis and Clark and explains the astronomy used to determine their location and map the great American West from 1803-1806.
	The Christmas Star Grades: 4+ (30 minutes) This program produced by the Buhl Planetarium explores the scientific possibilities for one of the most elusive astronomical riddles in history. What celestial object guided the wise men on their journey to Bethlehem over 2000 years ago? Was it a meteor, a comet, a special grouping of planets, or a real miracle? This program explores this topic in detail using the scriptures, modern astronomical knowledge, and extensive historical research into Roman and Hebrew historical records.
	Ice Age Texans Grades: 4+ (30 minutes) Journey back over 10,000 years to learn about the animals and Paleo-Indian peoples who lived in the Lone Star State long before Western European settlers. Researched and written by paleontologist and Navarro College Biology instructor Thomas Vance, this program prominently features the biggest Ice Age Texan of all -- the Columbian Mammoth. Through archeological images and original artwork by Vivian Patino, the world of the mammoth and the last interglacial period comes to life on the planetarium dome. This program is an original Cook Center Planetarium production.
	Texas Wildflowers Grades: 2+ (8 minutes) Texas is famous for its different varieties of wildflowers and this program features many of them. Learn the science and history of a several prominent Lone Star State wildflowers and the importance of conserving this precious resource. Of course, no Texas wildflower program would be complete without paying tribute to the famous Texas Bluebonnet! This program was written by Navarro College students under the direction of Biology instructor Lisa Dillman and is an original Cook Center Planetarium production.
	Call It Corsicana! Grades: 4+ (30 minutes) Produced in recognition of the 150th birthday of Corsicana, this program is a detailed exploration of the history of the city and the surrounding county. From the early settlers, to the oil boom days, and to the modern age; this program celebrates the people and stories that contribute to the rich history and traditions of Corsicana Texas. This program is an original Cook Center Planetarium production.