The newly renovated Carr-Fles Planetarium is presenting “Mystery of the Christmas Star,” through Dec. 13. Show times are 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. All planetarium shows are free, and open to the public.
“Mystery of the Christmas Star” takes full advantage of the planetarium’s new state-of-the-art projection, sound and lighting upgrades to offer an experience filled with greater spectacle and sophistication than the “Star of Wonder” show of recent years.
“The show gives a more Imax-like experience compared to the still slides of ‘Star of Wonder’,” explained Jon Truax, who directs the Carr-Fles Planetarium. “The Christmas shows have always been popular because they are programs that honor what Christmas is all about. They tell the story of the birth of Christ and attempt to answer, using Scripture, historical documents, and our knowledge of the sky and what was the Star of the Magi, the wise men.”
The upgrades have certainly helped with planetarium attendance, added Truax.
“The Black Holes show was filled up for nearly every performance.” Truax describes, “The public reaction has been one of being very impressed. It’s helping a great deal, and the students seem to like it.”
The improvements also benefit academic presentations, he noted.
“The planetarium is being used more for my classes because it can demonstrate many more things than the old system,” he said. “The new system can demonstrate concepts far beyond the old one. As a teaching tool it’s limitless.”
For more information, contact (231) 777-0289.