Explore Wonders of the Universe in new CyberSphere show

Release Date: 9/28/2007. Expired: 11/17/2007

Peer deep into space through the eyes of the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope to reveal the mysterious wonders of the universe with unprecedented clarity and brilliance in a brand new show featuring full-dome video in the CyberSphere Digital Theater at The Renaissance Center in Dickson.

Created by Evans and Sutherland in association with Minolta Planetarium Company, Ltd., Wonders of the Universe offers a unique view of the universe that cannot be found at any other planetarium in Tennessee. The CyberSphere Digital Theater, the only planetarium in the state equipped with Digistar 3 technology, presents Wonders of the Universe at 7 p.m. Saturdays Oct. 6-Nov. 17. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for military personnel and $3 for seniors 55 and over and children under 13.

At 60 feet across and four stories high, the CyberSphere is one of the largest planetariums in North America and the only domed theater that combines state-of-the-art planetarium and laser projector technology.

Experience the Wonders of the Universe yourself by traveling back in time 12 billion years to witness one theory on the creation of the universe. Viewers will enter the Milky Way from the depths of space and soar through some of the most spectacular nebulae ever discovered.

Through startling new images and the CyberSphere’s 14,000-watt digital Surroundsound system, you’ll feel the impact of the explosive death of a star and see the fantastic shrouds formed as stars slowly age and die.

As you travel across time and space, you’ll explore the universe in a way you’ve never imagined when you embark on an unforgettable tour through Wonders of the Universe.

Held over for October and November is the popular family friendly trip through the solar system in Secret of the Cardboard Rocket. Debuting in August, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket will continue Saturdays at 2 p.m. through Nov. 17.

Created by Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket is one of the most popular space journeys for children and their families. Two young adventurers use a magical book and their own vivid imaginations to turn a refrigerator box into a space-traveling rocket. The star travelers journey through the solar system from the boiling surface of the sun to the icy rings of Saturn.

With the totally immersive experience offered by Digistar 3, children of all ages will be mesmerized by the incredible scenery in motion and the wonder of discovery that only can be experienced inside the CyberSphere.

Secret of the Cardboard Rocket shows at 2 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 17. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for military personnel and $3 for seniors 55 and up and children under 13.

Laser shows in the CyberSphere turn to the spooky as Halloween approaches with the popular Fright Light and The Metallica Laser Experience.

Fright Light is a family Halloween show featuring popular seasonal songs along with laser effects.

Songs include Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Godzilla by Blue Oyster Cult, People Are Strange by The Doors, Edgar Winters’ Frankenstein, Devil Went Down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band and a medley of monster songs that includes Monster Mash, Purple People Eater, Boris the Spider and more. Fright Light is rated PG.

The 14,000-watt digital Surroundsound is enhanced with laser effects from the Omniscan 360-degree laser projector as well as special effects from the Digistar II projector and several slide and video projectors inside the four-story dome.

The Metallica Laser Experience features the pulse-pounding music of one of heavy metal’s all-time greatest bands. Songs like Enter Sandman, Fuel, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Master of Puppets and more rock the dome while spectacular laser effects give the music visual life. The Metallica Laser Experience is rated PG.

Fright Light shows at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and The Metallica Laser Experience is at 9 p.m. Saturdays through October. Tickets are $6 for laser shows.

For more information on the CyberSphere Digital Theater and its shows, call (615) 740-5600 or visit The Renaissance Center’s website at www.rcenter.org.

The Renaissance Center is a fine arts education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.

Visit the CyberSphere page for more about Planetarium and Laser Shows or the Home - News page for current and archived press releases.