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January – April 2024 Free Planetarium Show Schedule

Press release provided by the Charles W. Brown Planetarium
www.bsu.edu/planetarium

All regular planetarium programs are free of charge, cash donations are accepted at the door.

One free pair of solar eclipse glasses will be provided to each planetarium show guest for a suggested cash donation of $1, while supplies last. Glasses are partially funded through support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Simons Foundation.

January

The Universe Overhead

Fridays: Jan. 12, 26 at 6:30pm
Saturdays: Jan. 13, 27 at 6:30pm

The sky on cold winter nights has some of the brightest stars and the best-known constellations. Some of these stars are truly supergiants hundreds of times bigger than our Sun, while others are dwarfs the size of Earth. Along the winter Milky Way there are colorful clouds where new stars are being born. Come and enjoy a guided tour of this celestial wonderland, learn about the upcoming total solar eclipse, and use star charts to explore the night sky.
Suitable for all ages 8+, all ages are welcome.

We Are Astronomers

Saturdays: Jan. 13, 27 at 5:00pm

Narrated by David Tennant, we explore what exactly do astronomers do in this new program. Today’s astronomer is not the lone observer of past centuries. This program reveals the global collaboration, technology, and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the Universe and features info on NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

Most suitable for all ages 8+, all ages welcome

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure

Saturdays: Jan. 13, 27 at 3:30pm

“One World, One Sky” is a brilliant program that follows Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a new friend from China. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. They will also find shapes in the sky that will help them find the North Star. This cross-cultural adventure opens children’s eyes to the sky, helping them see how people all over the world are connected.
Best suited for families and groups with pre-K through 1st grade learners, all ages are welcome.

February

Solar Superstorms

Fridays: Feb. 9, 23 at 6:30pm
Saturdays: Feb. 10, 24 at 6:30pm

A fury is building on the surface of the Sun… high-velocity jets, a fiery tsunami wave that reaches 100,000km high, and rising loops of electrified gas are energized by what is going on underneath its surface. Will these “storms” affect Earth? Find the answer as we venture into the seething interior of our star to learn how they are formed. Solar Superstorms takes viewers into the tangle of magnetic fields and superhot plasma that vent the Sun’s rage in dramatic flares, violent solar tornadoes, and the largest eruptions in the solar system: Coronal Mass Ejections.
Suitable for all ages 10+, all ages are welcome.

Eclipse: The Sun Revealed

Saturdays: Feb. 10, 24 at 5:00pm

There will be a total eclipse of the Sun visible from Muncie, Indiana on April 8, 2024. A total solar eclipse is such a spectacular event, it is never too early to start planning for one. Come learn how solar and lunar eclipses happen, and about scientific discoveries that have been supported by total solar eclipses. This show also uses beautiful visuals to explore the historical and cultural view of eclipses, and explains how to safely see these awe-inspiring sights.

Most suitable for ages 10+, all ages are welcome.

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure

Saturdays: Feb. 10, 24 at 3:30pm

“One World, One Sky” is a brilliant program that follows Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a new friend from China. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. They will also find shapes in the sky that will help them find the North Star. This cross-cultural adventure opens children’s eyes to the sky, helping them see how people all over the world are connected.
Best suited for families and groups with pre-K through 1st grade learners, all ages are welcome.

March

Eclipse: The Sun Revealed

Fridays: March 1, 22 at 6:30pm
Saturdays: March 2, 23 at 6:30pm

There will be a total eclipse of the Sun visible from Muncie, Indiana on April 8, 2024. A total solar eclipse is such a spectacular event, it is never too early to start planning for one. Come learn how solar and lunar eclipses happen, and about scientific discoveries that have been supported by total solar eclipses. This show also uses beautiful visuals to explore the historical and cultural view of eclipses, and explains how to safely see these awe-inspiring sights.

Most suitable for ages 10+, all ages are welcome.

Kitz the Cat’s SuperMoon Adventure

Saturdays: March 2, 23 at 3:30pm & 5:00pm

Develop an understanding of the danger of space junk and humanity’s moon exploration while following adventurous cat astronauts! The Earth in the far future, where humanity no longer exists. Cats that survived in the debris left behind by humanity have evolved into intelligent beings. Three cats – Kitz, Tutti, and Pepe – are working as cleaners at NYASA and today’s mission is to clean up space junk. But these unpredictable street cats skip some of their work and fly to the Moon!
Best suited for families and groups with kids ages 6+, all ages are welcome.

April

Visit the Ball State eclipse website at https://bsu.edu/planetarium/eclipse-2024 for up-to-date information on additional special events and programs running in preparation for the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024.

We Are Stars

Fridays: April 12, 26 at 6:30pm
Saturdays: April 13, 27 at 6:30pm

Narrated by Andy Serkis, this program seeks to answer some of the biggest questions of all time. What are we made of? Where did it all come from? Explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry, our explosive origins and connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe. A family-friendly film full of fun, adventure, and enlightenment.

Most suitable for all ages 8+, all ages are welcome.

Sunset Meditation

Saturdays: April 13, 27 at 5:00pm

How do STEM workers, including NASA professionals, cope with stress? Meditation is a powerful tool for maintaining psychological health and resilience. Since the planetarium offers a dark and quiet space for relaxation, it is the perfect place for meditation. Enjoy a free guided meditation experience from Ball State University. View an amazing sunset as you travel from the Grand Canyon to the North Pole. Then relax under a night sky filled with stars and glimpses of the Northern Lights.

Suitable for all ages 12+, all ages are welcome.

Magic Tree House: Space Mission

Saturdays: April 13, 27 at 3:30pm

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 they discover in a written note signed “–M.” Peek into the treehouse and follow Jack and Annie on an exciting adventure as they meet a helpful astronomer and an astronaut. As they travel to an observatory and beyond into space, Jack and Annie nearly get … well, we don’t want to give the surprise away!

Best suited for families and groups with kids ages 6+, all ages are welcome.

Program Information

  • Cost: FREE, cash donations are accepted at the door. Plan to arrive early as seating is done on a first-come, first-served basis and seating is limited.
  • Runtime: Approximately 50 minutes total with live sky tour.
  • We do our best to have doors open 30 minutes before show time.

Planetarium Information

  • The planetarium is located on the west end of the Cooper Science Complex, at Charles W. Brown Planetarium, 2111 W. Riverside Ave., Muncie, Indiana 47306.
  • Due to construction being done on the Cooper Science Complex, select parking and pathway access to the planetarium is blocked off. Plan to arrive early to safely navigate the area and arrive on time for the program.
  • Food, drinks, gum or candy are not allowed in the planetarium.
  • Cellphones and any electronics that emit light must be silenced or turned off at the start of all programs. Please refrain from wearing light-up shoes to any planetarium programs.
  • Children 17 years and under should be accompanied by an adult.
  • We greatly appreciate your support to make our programs possible, and cash donations are accepted at the door.

For directions and parking information, as well as general policies, please visit the Charles W. Brown Planetarium website at www.bsu.edu/planetarium.

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Neighborhood Research

A historic Muncie home viewed from the street through tree branches.

Photo above by Chris Flook

A view down a sidewalk of one of Muncie's neighborhoods in the fall.

Have you ever wondered why a certain house in your neighborhood is built of brick and set far off the road while all of the surrounding homes are wood-sided and closer to the road? Or are there sidewalks that flow from street to street and then suddenly stop? Is there a grouping of old commercial-style buildings that don’t seem to fit into the otherwise residential vibe of the neighborhood?

Muncie was first platted in 1827, incorporated as a town in 1854, and became an incorporated city in 1865. However, the area was first settled in the 1770s by the Lenape (Delaware) people, who had been transported from their tribal land in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 1876, natural gas was discovered in Indiana, and the gas boom reached Muncie in 1886.

Muncie attracted new businesses and industries, and its population grew over the next 100 years. What would eventually become Ball State University, the Eastern Indiana Normal School opened in 1899, only to shut its doors after two years of operation. The Ball Brothers eventually bought the buildings and land and donated them to the State of Indiana, which set up operations in 1918 for the Indiana State Normal School, Eastern Division. The school was renamed Ball Teachers College in 1922, Ball State Teachers College in 1929, and Ball State University in 1965.

A view of the EB and Bertha C. Ball mansion as seen from the lawn

Muncie’s growth is tied to its industrial past, as well as to the establishment of Ball State University. You can discover more about the physical development of the city by reviewing archival Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, which were produced by the Sanborn Map Company to assist fire insurance agents in determining risk and the cost of premiums. Ball State University’s Digital Media Repository has 200 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Muncie dating from 1883 through 1911.

Additionally, many of Muncie’s neighborhoods developed covenants and restrictions as they were platted by developers. Original plats and their corresponding covenants and restrictions can be found in the Delaware County Recorders office, but several have been digitized. Many of the original subdivisions included restrictions on non-white residency, which is discussed in a Star Press article written by Bryan Preston in 2018. Several neighborhoods, including Westridge, Ludingwood, and Kenmore, have legally removed the race-based restrictions from their original covenants, language made formally illegal by the 1968 Fair Housing Act.

Learning more about the history of your neighborhood is an interesting activity, and by forming a better understanding of the past, you may be able to envision an even greater future. If you have a desire to connect with others who love local history, the Delaware County Historical Society has educational sessions, workshops, and an annual meeting of members. Consider joining!

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Spinning Towards Inclusion – Morningside Park welcomes the We-Go-Round

A dome with vertical spokes sits on an attractive slab against the background of the rest of the park. It has seats inside and the backs of the seats are painted with seasonal motifs. Visible on the front are a winter scene with a deer and three snow-covered trees, and a scene with two trees and a variety of animals including a beaver and a wolf facing the center of the panel.

In an enchanting display of community spirit and dedication to inclusivity, the Morningside Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with Muncie Parks and Recreation, proudly unveiled the newest addition to Morningside Park – the We-Go-Round. This vibrant carousel of joy was brought to life thanks in part to the financing from ARP funds, showcasing a community’s commitment to creating shared spaces that celebrate the diversity of abilities.

The We-Go-Round, installed by Landscape Structures, is more than just a playground piece; it’s a revolutionary design that invites children of all abilities to whirl in unison. With strategic seating areas and plenty of space, the structure welcomes wheelchairs, even those without wheel-locking mechanisms, ensuring no child is left on the sidelines.

Mayor Ridenour stands with Neighborhood Association members in front of the new We-Go-Round. A man in the center of the group holds a large pair of black, ribbon-cutting scissors.

The ribbon was cut on Monday, October 16th, 2023, with Mayor Ridenour, Deputy Mayor Ivy, Superintendent Malone, Park Staff, Neighborhood Association members, and the Muncie Police Department in attendance. The We-Go-Round, with its shade-providing rooftop and central handhold, promises to be the hub of laughter and shared experiences.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this dream a reality.  Come visit, see the joy in motion, and let your hearts spin with delight at Morningside Park.

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It’s cold outside! Stay warm by attending a Ball State public event!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Friday, December 1, 2023

  • Mindfulness in the Museum – 12 p.m.
  • EB Ball Holiday Open House – 5 p.m.
  • Jr. Recital: Sophie Buselli, violin – 5:30 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Jr. Recital: Nina Vivo, violin – 7:30 p.m.
  • Ball State Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 2, 2023

  • Emens: Orchestra Indiana: Christmas Celebration – 12 a.m.
  • Museum Docent Tour – 2:30 p.m.
  • “Magic Treehouse: Space Mission” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
  • EB Ball Holiday Open House – 5 p.m.
  • Holiday Arts and Culture Night – 5 p.m.
  • Holiday in Bloom – 6 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 3, 2023

  • Oboe Marathon – 12 p.m.
  • Tuba Christmas – 1 p.m.
  • Emens: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland – 6 p.m.
  • Singers Holiday Choral Festival – 7 p.m.
  • Cello Studio Recital – 8:30 p.m.

Monday, December 4, 2023

  • Trombone Choir Concert – 5:30 p.m.
  • DA Recital: Soojin Lee, voice – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

  • MTNA Recital – 5:30 p.m.
  • Faculty Artist Series: Cara Chowning and Kevin Gwinn – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

  • Jocelyn Bolin Sabbatical Lecture – 3 p.m.
  • String Chamber Music Recital – 5 p.m.
  • Morgy Craig Memorial Concert by Ball State Jazz Ensembles – 7:30 p.m.
  • AD Recital: Gozde Parlaktuna, violin – 7:30 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 7, 2023

  • Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with John Merriweather – 11 a.m.
  • Student Recital: Sarah Smith, euphonium – 5:30 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 7:30 p.m.
  • TAP! – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 8, 2023

  • Tea, Cookies, & Not Your Grandmother’s Needlepoint – 2 p.m.
  • Student Recital: Ashton Shelley, tuba – 5:30 p.m.
  • Student Recital: Scott Carter, tenor – 5:30 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Student Recital: Sadie Baxter, voice – 7:30 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 7:30 p.m.
  • TAP! – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 9, 2023

  • Harp Studio Recital – 10 a.m.
  • DA Lecture Recital: Patricia Burton, cello – 1 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 2:30 p.m.
  • “Magic Treehouse: Space Mission” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
  • “The Christmas Star” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • The Little Prince – 7:30 p.m.
  • TAP! – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 10, 2023

  • The Little Prince – 2:30 p.m.
  • TAP! – 2:30 p.m.
  • Holiday Choral Concert (Afternoon) – 3 p.m.
  • Holiday Choral Concert (Evening) – 6 p.m.

Monday, December 11, 2023

  • Student Recital: Josh Garwood, clarinet – 7:30 p.m.
  • DA Recital: Qiaohui Wu, voice – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

  • Voctave – It Feels Like Christmas – 12 a.m.

Thursday, December 14, 2023

  • ALL OUT FOR CHRISTMAS: A SHOWBIZ RADIO FABLE – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 16, 2023

  • Piano Studio Recital – 11 a.m.

The University is closed from 12/16/23 into the new year.

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Check out Ball State’s public November events to feel Thankful for fun!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

  • MFA 2nd Year Show Opening Reception – 4 p.m.
  • EB Ball: History of Breaking Bread at the White House – FULL – 6:30 p.m.
  • Candlelight Vigil for Peace – 7 p.m.
  • Percussion Ensemble Recital – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

  • Guest Lecture: Dr. Charlene Fletcher on “For Whose Protection?: Black Women & Confinement in the Late-19th Century” – 3 p.m.
  • Ball State Symphony Orchestra – 7:30 p.m.
  • Pruis Hall – Las Cafeteras – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 3, 2023

  • Mindfulness in the Museum – 12 p.m.
  • IN ASTA Orchestra Invitational – 3 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance: The Prom – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 4, 2023

  • IN ASTA Orchestra Invitational – 8 a.m.
  • Museum Docent Tour – 2:30 p.m.
  • ASTRONOMY SLAM – Registration Required – 6:30 p.m.
  • University Choral Union, Cardinal Chorus, and Vox Anima – 7:30 p.m.
  • Theater and Dance: The Prom – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 5, 2023

  • Theater and Dance: The Prom – 2:30 p.m.
  • Youth Symphony Orchestra of East Central Indiana – 3 p.m.
  • DA Lecture Recital: Alison Moore, soprano – 3 p.m.
  • Trumpet Ensemble Recital – 7:30 p.m.

Monday, November 6, 2023

  • Woodwind Chamber Music Recital – 5:30 p.m.
  • Sr. Recital: Noah Burch, violin – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

  • Lifelong Learners: She Took Care of the Cat – 1:30 p.m.
  • Recital: Jazz Combos – 5:30 p.m.
  • Student Composers’ Forum – 7:30 p.m.
  • The Redeemer – 7:30 p.m.
  • Writing for Young People with Alicia D. Williams – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

  • Reel Inclusion: Our Story (Abbreviated Version) – 12 p.m.
  • Business as a Force for Good: Why Societal Impact Matters – 3 p.m.
  • The Japanese Art of Mending with Sashiko – 6 p.m.
  • Arts Alive: Trenton Doyle Hancock – 7 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance: The Prom – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 9, 2023

  • Reel Inclusion: Our Story (Full Version) – 5:30 p.m.
  • EB Ball: Holiday Watercolor – 6 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance: The Prom – 7:30 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance: The Redeemer – 7:30 p.m.
  • Piano Studio Recital – 7:30 p.m.
  • Featured Reading with Alicia D. Williams – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 10, 2023

  • Holiday Card Workshop – 2 p.m.
  • Flute Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.
  • “Destination Mars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Viola Studio Recital – 7:30 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance – The Prom – 7:30 p.m.
  • Threatre and Dance – The Redeemer – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 11, 2023

  • Emens – Orchestra Indiana: Classical Mystery Tour – 6 p.m.
  • Rinard Orchid Greenhouse – Tropics to Table – 10 a.m.
  • Theatre and Dance – The Redeemer – 2:30 p.m.
  • “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
  • “Dynamic Earth” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
  • “Destination Mars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance – The Prom – 7:30 p.m.
  • Theatre and Dance – The Redeemer – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 12, 2023

  • Theatre and Dance – The Redeemer – 2:30 p.m.
  • University Singers – 3 p.m.
  • Flute Guild Recital – 3 p.m.
  • Guest Artist Recital: Fabian Lopez (violin), David Kovac (viola), and Ball State String Faculty – 5:30 p.m.

Monday, November 13, 2023

  • Violin Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

  • Lifelong Learners: Flying for the Navy during the Cold War – 1:30 p.m.
  • Recital: Jazz Combos – 5:30 p.m.
  • First-Generation Student and Self-Supporting Student Discussion – 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

  • Emens – Mike Super – Magic & Illusion – 7:30 p.m.
  • College of Health – Speaker Series November – 1 p.m.
  • Campus Band and Campus Orchestra – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 16, 2023

  • Global Entrepreneurship Week Speaker Jason Riley – 11 a.m.
  • Trombone Studio Recital – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, November 17, 2023

  • Womens Networking Breakfast – 8 a.m.
  • Student Recital: Jackson Martin, saxophone – 5:30 p.m.
  • “Destination Mars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Student Recital: Connor Granlund, trombone – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 18, 2023

  • “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
  • “Dynamic Earth” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
  • “Destination Mars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.
  • Fall Opera: Copland’s The Tender Land – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

  • Fall Opera: Copland’s The Tender Land – 3 p.m.

Monday, November 20, 2023

  • Faculty Artist Series: James Helton – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

  • Lifelong Learners: Istanbul Adventures – 1:30 p.m.
  • Jr. Recital: Quinton Kriner, viola – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

  • Lifelong Learners: That Reminds Me of a Story…Therapeutic Storytelling – 1:30 p.m.
  • Entrepreneurial Experience Lecture with Marc Lore – 6 p.m.
  • Concert: EM | Two – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Jr. Recital: Raul De Mesa, euphonium – 5:30 p.m.

New Music Ensemble – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

DA Performance Recital: Nicolas Andrade, wagner tuba – 5:30 p.m.

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‘Terrific’ friends come together for community reading project

A person in a green and white shirt sits on a low chair reading to children gathered around in an arc around him on the floor
Longfellow Elementary School student Isabella Foster reads Charlotte’s Web to Longfellow Principal Gerry Moore and her schoolmates A’Nyiah Shannon and Rashaud Hill.
Longfellow Elementary School student Isabella Foster reads Charlotte’s Web to Longfellow Principal Gerry Moore and her schoolmates A’Nyiah Shannon and Rashaud Hill.

“Some pig’ really brought the community together in September.
“Charlotte’s Web” was the focus of a community-wide reading initiative, culminating in Muncie Civic Theatre’s production of the classic tale at Southside High School. 
The initiative, designed to get kids excited about reading, was led by a team of executives from Muncie Civic Theatre, Heart of Indiana United Way, Muncie Community Schools, and Muncie Public Library.

Highlights:

  • Every third and fourth-grade student in Muncie Community Schools received a free copy of the book, thanks to support from Northwest Bank and Altrusa Foundation. 
  • Muncie Public Library locations offered audiobooks – in several languages – available for families to check out and listen to together. 
  • Muncie Civic Theatre offered four free daytime school matinees for MCS students, sponsored by Meridian Health Services. 
  • Muncie Community Schools students made “Charlotte’s Web”-themed art and prepared special songs that were part of the Civic Theatre performance.  
  • Muncie Civic Theatre provided free performances of the play for families participating in this community read initiative.  
  • Muncie Altrusa Club volunteered to read “Some Pig,” an early-reader picture book version of “Charlotte’s Web,” to elementary students. 
  • Several childcare centers and after-school programs worked on crafts, activities, and games they shared with each other and families to build interest and fun around the story.  
  • Muncie Civic Theatre presented “Charlotte’s Web” at Southside Middle School.