Jordan Planetarium announces 2012 Winter Star Shows ORONO - The brilliant winter stars will shine in the night sky and under the dome at UMaine's Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium. Public programs started this month with family shows every Friday evening at 7 p.m. and shows for the youngest stargazers on Sundays at 2 p.m. The planetarium series will rotate all the most popular titles for public audiences to enjoy when the real sky is a bit too cool to view, says planetarium Director Alan Davenport. Featured in the winter series is the new program "Cosmic Colors: An Adventure along the Spectrum," and "Strange Planets," about the recent discoveries of earth-sized planets by NASA's Kepler mission. Also, a popular and personable tour of the planets in "Our Sky Family" and the premiere of a new program, "Trip through Space," will be shown for the edutainment of youngsters ages 5-9, according to Davenport. "The space theater in Wingate Hall on the Orono campus has been host to many thousands of visitors in years past and continues to provide Maine sky watchers with views that are out of this world," he said. Added in this season are three weeks of Skylase laser showings. Schedules and show descriptions are listed on the Jordan Planetarium website, http://www.galaxymaine.com. February Friday, Feb. 3 & 17 at 7 p.m. - Earth's Wild Ride Friday, Feb. 10 & 24 at 7 p.m. - Ice Worlds Sunday, Feb. 5 & 19 at 2 p.m. - Follow the Drinking Gourd Sunday, Feb. 12 & 26 at 2 p.m. - Trip Through Space March Friday, March 2, 16 & 30 at 7 p.m. - Prophecies of the Maya Friday, March 9 & 23 at 7 p.m. - Touching the Edge of the Universe Sunday, March 4 & 18 at 2 p.m. - Earth, Moon and Sun Sunday, March 11 & 25 at 2 p.m. - Worlds of Wonder April Friday, April 6 & 20 at 7 p.m. - Cosmic Colors Friday, April 13 & 27 at 7 p.m. - Origins of Life Sunday, April 1, 15 & 29 at 2 p.m. - Our Sky Family Sunday, April 22 & 29 at 2 p.m. - Earth's Wild Ride There will be no show on April 8. Admission to star shows is $3 per person; advance reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 581-1341.