WAYNE – Celebrating Earth Day is the theme for Wayne State College’s free planetarium and laser shows Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, in the Fred G. Dale Planetarium. Admission is free and open to the public, but free-will donations are accepted.
The planetarium has been upgraded with a new single-lens ultra-high-def projection system and the immersive Digistar Astronomy software. The planetarium has once again become the most technologically advanced and educationally versatile planetarium in the region.
For this Earth Day celebration weekend, planetarium shows will replace the laser shows.
On Friday, April 17, the planetarium show “Dynamic Earth” will be at 7 p.m., followed by the “Living Worlds” at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, April 18, the planetarium show “Living Worlds” is at 1 p.m., followed by “Dynamic Earth” at 2 p.m.
About “Dynamic Earth”
“Dynamic Earth” explores the inner workings of Earth’s great life support system: the global climate. With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations, this cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the Sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere, oceans, and the biosphere. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into active volcanoes.
About “Living Worlds”
Whether earthly or alien, all life leaves a trace. Audience members will journey through space and time to discover how life makes Earth livable, where it could be found elsewhere in the cosmos, and what new technologies we might use to find it. Along the way, audience members will learn how light and color can help us spot other living worlds even from vast distances – and develop a new appreciation for the one-of-a-kind planet right beneath our feet.
"This spring features five new planetarium shows that add to our growing and diverse library of planetarium shows,” said Dr. Todd Young, director of the Fred G. Dale Planetarium. “They are ‘Dynamic Earth,’ ‘Liquidverse,’ ‘Edge of Darkness,’ ‘Living Worlds,’ and ‘Tales of a Time Traveler.’ We will also have an Earth Day Celebration. And after a planetarium show, everyone is welcome to enjoy the lights and music of our many laser shows, including Classic Rock, Laser Zeppelin, Laser Beatles, and our new laser show Women Who Rock!”
The planetarium is located on the lowest level of Wayne State’s Carhart Science Building. Guests should use the southwest doors to enter. Once inside, go to the stairs at the south end of the building and go down to the lowest level. You may also take the elevator. Carhart Science and the planetarium are handicap accessible.
All shows last about 45 minutes. Doors open 20 minutes prior to the start of a show and shows generally include a tour of the current night sky, how to find the constellations, and current events in astronomy.
The shows will cycle through the planetarium’s vast library of shows, and each planetarium show will be followed by a laser show.
For more information, or to view a complete schedule of planetarium and laser shows for the Spring 2026 semester, visit www.wsc.edu/planetarium, or contact Dr. Todd Young, director of the Fred G. Dale Planetarium, at 402375-7471 or [email protected].
Those wanting to book a private planetarium show should also contact Young. School and community groups and organizations are always welcome to book private shows.
Wayne State College, a leading, public four-year college in Northeast Nebraska, is a proud member of the Nebraska State College System.
