March 18, 2026–The Bushman Planetarium at Missouri Western State University will present public showings of “Lifestyles of the Stars” and “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children age 13 and under, students, employees, military and senior citizens age 60 and up. Planetarium tickets must be purchased in advance either online at missouriwestern.edu/planetarium or in person at Agenstein Hall, room 140 during regular business hours.
“Lifestyles of the Stars”
This “AstroTours” romp features a brilliant (but wacky) tour bus driver who takes the audience on a tour of the “homes” of the stars. A family of “space tourists” asks all the right questions about stellar temperatures, composition, and stellar evolution. Our Astrobus guide, Tachyon, drives passengers to nebulae to explain star formation. Visits to a red dwarf, blue/white giant, red supergiant, and yellow stars include close calls with a stellar flare and a supernova. Complete with discussions about neutron stars and black holes.
“Secret of the Cardboard Rocket”
Embark on an outstanding adventure as two children spend a night touring the solar system alongside their ship’s navigator, an astronomy book. This short is produced with modern 3-D digital animation and a soundtrack with spectacular effects created at George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch.
The Bushman Planetarium features a Digistar 4 projection system and a dome that is tilted slightly, rather than directly overhead, making viewing easier. The Dolby 5.1 surround sound system enhances your viewing experience.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. MoWest is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.