Charles W. Brown Planetarium

Together, we can make an impact.

image of the exterior of the planetarium, dome building, flowers in foreground

Your contribution to the planetarium directly impacts Ball State students and the Muncie community. 

Your contribution supports initiatives such as...

  funds student staff!

  enhances events with new technologies and immersive programs!

  expands our hands-on activity stations and telescope observing opportunities!

  encourages scientific literacy and advancement!


 Ball State students contribute to all planetarium events.

student workers at the control panel of the planetarium, buttons and sliders visible

The Brown Planetarium is part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and students from this department and others work in the planetarium. They love sharing their knowledge and passion for the universe with others.


Who visits?

student worker presenting in front of a full planetarium with the pleiades star cluster overhead on the domeOver 22,000 people enjoy the planetarium each year and we see over 9,000 school kids who come during field trips! All public planetarium events are free and open to all, with nearby parking for public programs.

Our namesake.

Charlie Brown and wife Louise Tetrick standing by a large 10 outside the planetairum

Charles W. Brown (R) and his wife Dr. Louise Tetrick at the 10 Year Anniversary Celebration of the Planetarium in November 2024.

 

The Charles W. Brown Planetarium is named for businessman and philanthropist Charlie Brown, BA '71, whose passion for science was rekindled by the planetarium project. Mr. Brown and his wife, Dr. Louise Tetrick, hope the planetarium provides an incredible resource for the community, especially youth, as well as university students. Their goal is to make a difference in kids’ lives, as they believe that is where we can all be the most impactful.

 

We are continuously inspired and humbled by those who continue to give to support the planetarium; including gifts to the James and Nancy Watson Planetarium Science Education Fund. This fund was set up by the late Nancy Watson to support the science educational outreach mission of the planetarium to K-12 children.

 

 

Join those who have given to the planetarium today!

student worker presenting in front of a full planetarium with the Earth's magnetosphere overhead on the dome

 Stay connected with the Brown Planetarium on Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube!

Share on social with #OneBallState
2
Match
Jenny and Kevin Smith Planetarium Challenge
Gifts to the Planetarium will be matched up to $250 by Jenny and Kevin Smith.
Leaderboard
CSH Donation Leaderboard
The five departments in the College of Sciences and Humanities with the greatest percentage increase in donations over 2024 will each receive $200 from Dean Maureen McCarthy.
Department (20)
Leaderboard
Morning Leaderboard Challenge
The three areas with the most donors by 10 a.m. will receive $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 in challenge funds.
Units, Funds, & Programs (130)
Leaderboard
Donor Leaderboard
The four units with the most donors by 5 p.m. will each receive $500.
Unit (129)
Leaderboard
Donor Leaderboard
The five units with the most donors by midnight will each receive $1,000.
Unit (132)
Leaderboard
Provost Marri College Leaderboard Challenge
The three colleges with the most donors will unlock an additional $250 for 1st place, $150 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place from Provost Anand Marri.
Department (8)
Leaderboard
College Donor Leaderboard
The college that has the most donors by midnight will receive $5,000 in challenge funds.
College (8)
Event
Young Alumni Giving Challenge
When ten young alumni give by Noon, YAC President Giang Petroviak, will donate $200 to the Young Alumni Council Student Leadership Scholarship fund.
Event
Graduates of the Last Decade Challenge
In honor of 10 years of the Young Alumni Council, 250 gifts from graduates of the last decade to any University Fund unlocks a $250 donation from the Young Alumni council to the Student Leadership fund.
Event
Foundation Employee Giving Challenge
100% participation of Foundation employees unlocks $500 from Foundation and BSUAA President Jean Crosby towards the Ball State Fund.
Event
EPM Employee Challenge
VP for Enrollment Planning and Management Paula Luff will match dollars raised from EPM employees, up to $500, to the Jack Beyerl Student Emergency Aid Fund.
Event
Early Bird Challenge
Rise and shine! The first student, employee, parent, and graduate who give will earn $250 extra for the fund they supported.
Event
Race to Give Challenge
The first 2 academic departments and the first 2 sports teams to receive a gift will each receive $500 in challenge funds.
Event
International Alum Challenge
The first international alum to make a gift on One Ball State Day will earn $500 in challenge funds for the fund they supported.
Event
Social Media Video Challenge
Post a One Ball State Day video on social media with #OneBallState. We'll select two random participants, and they'll get to designate $500 to the fund of their choice! Winners will be chosen at 9am and 3pm!
Event
Name That Goose Challenge
Honk honk! The two most creative goose names will each earn $500 for the fund of their choice! Get creative and post your goose name with #OneBallState and #HonkHonk on social media. Winners will be selected at Noon and 10:30 p.m.!
Event
Selfie Challenge
Post a One Ball State Day selfie with #OneBallState and earn $250 for the fund of your choice! We'll choose one random winner at 1 p.m.!
Event
Faculty and staff social media challenge!
Share a photo of your OBSD postcard so everyone knows what you’re supporting on OBSD. Be sure to stamp your post with #OneBallState. Two random participants will get to donate $500 in challenge funds toward their favorite area. We'll choose a winner at 7pm!
Event
OBSD Video Challenge
We’re randomly selecting two One Ball State Day videos posted on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram with #OneBallState. Two lucky winners will each get to donate $500 to the area of their choice! Be sure to tag @BSUFoundation and use #OneBallState. Winners will be chosen at 8 p.m.!
Event
Closing Time Challenge
The last student, employee, parent, and alumni donor will each earn $250 for the program they supported.
Event
Monthly Donor Challenge
Help us get to 100 monthly donors by midnight! Two recurring donors will be randomly selected and earn $250 for the fund their gift was to.
Event
First Time Donor Challenge
The unit with the most first time alumni donors will receive $1,000.
Event
Paint the U.S. Cardinal Red
Gifts from all 50 states will unlock $1,918 to support the Ball State Fund.
Event
LinkedIn Challenge
Share a One Ball State Day post on LinkedIn on April 2nd for a chance to designate $500 to your favorite Ball State area! Must use #OneBallState and tag the Ball State Foundation!
Don't forget to share!

Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at oneballstateday@bsu.edu.

Participating Groups
Alumni Association Athletics Chief Strategy Office Ball State Fund Ball State PBS Burris Laboratory School Christian Student Foundation Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning College of Communication, Information, and Media College of Fine Arts College of Health College of Sciences and Humanities Digital Corps Employee Emergency Fund Graduate School Honors College Immersive Learning Indiana Academy Indiana Public Radio Learning Center Miller College of Business Name a Goose Online Student Support Fund Rinker Center for Global Affairs Student Affairs Scholarships Teachers College Undergraduate Research & Creative Project Support University College University Libraries Women of Beneficence (Discovery)

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