Kicking off the new Indian River State College Hallstrom Planetarium season is a free "Star Party and Open House at the Planetarium" on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Main Campus, 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce. The event will feature guided tours of the night sky and viewing through telescopes (weather permitting), courtesy of the Treasure Coast Astronomical Society. For more information about the Open House, contact the IRSC Call Center at 1-866-792-4772.

Beginning in October, the IRSC Hallstrom Planetarium will present the galactic show, "The Planets," written by IRSC Hallstrom Planetarium Director Jon U. Bell and narrated by Kate Mulgrew (Captain Katherine Janeway in the television series Star Trek: Voyager). Mulgrew takes the audience on a grand tour of the solar system and neighboring worlds. See the Mariner Valley, the "Grand Canyon" of Mars, plunge through the icy rings of Saturn, and travel to far-flung Pluto and beyond, where the sun is just a bright spot in the night.

The Planets will be presented on Oct. 17 & 18, Nov. 7 & 8, and Nov. 21 & 22. Planetarium show times are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 & 8 p.m. and Saturday at 1 & 2 p.m. Tickets are $3 each and may be purchased in advance or 30 minutes prior to show times at the IRSC Box Office. Planetarium shows are recommended for adults and families with children four and over. The Planetarium's temperature is maintained at 72 degrees for the benefit of the system's optics and electronics. Visitors may want to bring a sweater or jacket. Tickets may be purchased in person or by phone using VISA, Discover, American Express, or MASTERCARD. The IRSC Box Office is located at 3209 Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce, phone 1-800-220-9915.