January 22, 2007

Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno presents two new immersive theater experiences featuring the SkyDome 8/70 large-format feature film, Mystery of the Nile, and the full-dome digital star show, Ultimate Universe, playing daily through Sept. 3.

Join Pasquale Scaturro and his team of explorers as they set off to become the first to navigate the Blue Nile from its source at Lake Tana in Ethiopia, through Sudan to the Mediterranean Sea at Alexandria in Egypt. This 3,260-mile journey is made in 16-foot rafts crashing through some of the most extreme whitewater rapids in the world on a thrilling four-month adventure, now showing through Sept. 3 in “Mystery of the Nile,” the SkyDome 8/70 large-format feature film at Fleishmann Planetarium at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Also showing, Ultimate Universe takes audiences on a celestial grand tour, from the outer reaches of space and time, through vast fields of wondrous galaxies, to the majesty of our own solar system, exploring the universe’s most provocative secrets and highlighting the major components of the cosmos in a show utilizing the latest in full-dome 3-D animation technology.

Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center is located north of Lawlor Events Center on Virginia and 16th streets, on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, 1.5 miles north of the downtown Reno arch. Free parking is available in the West Stadium Parking Complex, level 3, just east of the planetarium.

Mystery of the Nile and Ultimate Universe are shown seven days a week, including weekends and holidays.

Mystery of the Nile — 1, 3 and 5 p.m. daily through Sept. 3, with additional 7 p.m. showings on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, and everyday from June 3 to Aug. 26.

Ultimate Universe — 2, 4 and 6 p.m. daily through Sept. 3, with additional noon showings on Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 12-16, May 28 and everyday June 3 to Aug. 26.

Individual tickets for Mystery of the Nile or Ultimate Universe are $5 general admission and $4 children and seniors. Museum admission is free. For tickets and more information, call (775) 784-4811 or visit the Fleischmann Planetarium on the web.

Also showing through Sept. 3 at Fleischmann Planetarium
Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd’s legendary rock ’n’ roll masterpiece, is recreated in full-color animation for an unforgettable high-definition, full-dome video experience — a new digital revolution in sight and sound. Dark Side of the Moon is shown Fridays at 8 p.m. through Sept. 3. Individual tickets for Dark Side of the Moon are $8 general admission.

In The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, audiences climb aboard a magical cardboard rocket with two young adventurers to experience a breathtaking, up-close look at each of our solar system’s planets. Discover the secret to making this seemingly impossible trip to the edges of the universe and back, and gain a new sense of wonder about space along the way. The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket is shown Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. through Sept. 3, with additional 11 a.m. showings on Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 12-16, May 28 and weekdays June 3 to Aug. 26. Individual tickets for The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket are $5 general admission and $4 children and seniors.

Tripping the Light Fantastic is a new full-dome digital light show series presented in partnership with KTHX-FM 100.1 featuring a changing selection of cutting-edge, full-dome computer animation accompanied by the sounds of classic and new music chosen each week by KTHX DJs. Tripping the Light Fantastic is shown Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Sept. 3. Individual tickets for Tripping the Light Fantastic are $8 general admission.

What’s happening in the sky tonight? Live SkyTonight Star Talk answers that question in an informal and entertaining immersive multimedia presentation aided by state-of-the-art technology, followed by telescope viewing (weather permitting) at the planetarium’s observatory site in Rancho San Rafael Park, courtesy of the Astronomical Society of Nevada. Live SkyTonight Star Talk takes place the first Friday of each month at 6 p.m. at Fleischmann Planetarium. Individual tickets for Live SkyTonight Star Talk are $5 general admission and $4 children and seniors.