Enjoy the show indoors and fireworks outdoors at Planetarium

The Mayborn Planetarium and Space Theater invites the public to come inside and enjoy some great shows before stepping outside to see the Fort Hood firework display on Friday, July 4. The show schedule will include two large format films and three digital laser light shows.

The opening show is “Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France.” This action-packed, spellbinding ride chronicles the legendary Tour de France bike race. It seamlessly melds state-of-the-art computer animation of the human brain with the first-ever giant screen film footage of this grueling athletic event, thus bringing together the excitement of world-class sport and the frontiers of science.

“Wired to Win” puts audiences face-to-face with these fierce competitors as they survive hair-raising crashes, battle each other - and themselves - up storied mountain passes and navigate action-packed descents down treacherous mountain roads at speeds of more than 100 kilometers an hour. Follow the world's top professional cyclists, including footage of Lance Armstrong, through the Alps to experience the fight-or-flight situations on a steep downhill switchback, witness their struggle to maintain mental focus on roads melting in a heat wave and learn from their constant battle with fatigue.

Mixing sports with science, the audience will be exposed to a new age of medical science as we discover the dynamic nature of the human brain and its incredible ability to adapt and overcome insurmountable odds. Using a combination of cutting edge computer graphic digital animation, strong and inspiring personal stories and unprecedented giant screen footage, this film will entertain and, hopefully, inspire audiences of all ages that they too can tap into the incredible source of power and achieve the remarkable. Show time for “Wired to Win” is Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

Next up is a special showing of the favorite “Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia.” The documentary-style film focuses on the history, the evolution and extinction of dinosaurs while providing a unique opportunity to get a true experience of the incredible size and strength of these creatures that roamed the Earth 65 million years ago. The giant screen film concentrates on the remarkable discoveries made in Patagonia, South America by world-renowned paleontologist Rodolfo Coria. He was responsible for discovering some of the largest dinosaurs ever found: Argentinosaurus, a giant herbivore that could reach 100 tons in weight and 120-feet high in length, making it the biggest animal to ever walk the earth; and Giganotosaurus, a 15-meter long meat-eating predator that was even bigger than the famous T-Rex.

The audience gets a first-hand look at the lives of these two superb creatures with never-before-seen computer-generated footage. The action is intense and the landscapes of Patagonia , which are very similar to the ones inhabited by the dinosaurs, are amazing. Show time is Friday at 8 p.m.

The new digital Laser Dome laser light shows start at 9 p.m. Each show is an indoor version of the fireworks display with bright eye-popping colors and abstract images. The first show is “Laser Pop” which features some of today's hottest artists such as Nelly Furtado, Christina Aguilera, Fergie, Maroon 5, Gnarls Barkely, Justin Timberlake and many more.

The Planetarium will take a break at 9:30 to allow patrons to step outside and enjoy the fireworks display from Fort Hood which can be seen from various vantage points on the CTC campus. Then step back inside the cool climate of the dome at 10:15 p.m. for a hot laser light show “Laser Rock.” This dynamic show includes artists such as Nickelback, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters and OKGo.

The final show of the evening is the high-energy “Laser Hip Hop” highlighting some of today's best dance music. Tracks include artists such as Kanye West, the Black-Eyed Peas, Timbaland and Lloyd. Show time is at 11 p.m.

While many campus visitors enjoy the fireworks from the duck pond, the Planetarium parking lot or other points around CTC, the public is reminded to obey CTC policies and not bring alcohol, fireworks or any other illegal items on campus and to park only in legal parking spaces. Campus police will issue citations to violators of these policies.