Planetarium shows shed light on universe’s secrets

Audiences will learn about “The Secret Lives of Stars” this weekend at Spokane Falls Community College.

The 25-minute full-dome movie at the planetarium delves into how stars are born, how they live out their lives and what happens when they die.

It’ll look at how our solar system’s star was born, but will focus more on bigger stars in the universe, SFCC astronomy instructor John Whitmer said.

“The massive stars are really the interesting ones,” Whitmer said. They do some very violent and chaotic things when they die.

The film will use images from Hubble and other large telescopes, as well computer animation.

On Saturday afternoon, “Earth, Moon and Sun” will screen instead. It’s a show geared toward younger audiences, Whitmer said, though all ages are welcome at all shows.

Planetarium shows also include an introduction to the night sky.

The talk focuses mostly on the early evening. “That’s when some of the brightest, most beautiful stars are out,” Whitmer said.

It’s also what’s most applicable to people, he said. “They’re going to see it right before they go to bed.”

During the talk, the audience learns about constellations, flies to the moon and takes a look back at Earth.

The planetarium opens to the public twice quarterly. Shows often sell out, so it’s important to buy tickets in advance, Whitmer said, though any open seats will be available at the door.

The main goal for the public shows is to get people to look up and think about what’s up there, Whitmer said, “just to stop and think about being a part of the beauty of the universe.”

“I think it’s important for people to pause and think about where we fit into it all,” he said.