Twinkle, twinkle, little stars, telling stories from afar.

This weekend, Sky Mothers will be the university planetarium’s second-to-last show in a series of presentations featuring extraterrestrial legends. Saturday’s show is themed for Mom’s Weekend.

“It’s a narrated, guided tour of mostly mythology of constellations around the sky relating to mothers,” said Guy Worthey, associate professor of physics and astronomy.

Worthey and physics and astronomy instructor Michael Allen directed the show. Kaylan Petrie, a Ph.D. student narrates.

Using a projector installed in 1968, the dark planetarium becomes a clear night sky where Petrie tells stories about constellations.

Petrie described the show as an interactive learning experience, different from a traditional lecture. She combines both science and storytelling in each of her presentations.

Along with legends from Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Native American cultures, Petrie will talk about the European Space Agency and historical women who made important contributions to science.

“It’s another way to explore your relationship with your mother or a female role model,” she said.

One story highlighted for the show includes the story of Andromeda and her mother Cassiopeia. In the story, the vain Cassiopeia insulted Poseidon’s nymphs and in return was demanded as sacrifice by the god of the sea, Petrie said.

 “I’m including it because Cassiopeia is one of the more recognizable constellations,” Petrie said. “It incorporates so many different parts of the sky.”

The planetarium is frequented by middle school students who come to see similar show and learn about space, the Earth, and the solar system. Allen said they have seen 1,200 students throughout the year.

“Just from past experience the audience was interested in the projector itself,” he said. “Kaylan has a marvelous connection to the audience.”

Worthey said one of his favorite moments is when the lights are turned off and the lights go out. Everyone in the room will give a collective “whoa,” he said

Another reason for starting shows like Sky Mothers is to raise funds that will hopefully upgrade the planetarium’s projector, Worthey said. While it does the job well, it is starting to show its age.

“Every time a light bulb burns out it’s $1,300,” he said.

With the new funds, Worthey and Allen said they wish to get a newer projector that will have more functionality than the current projector. Allen said they hope to use a newer projector to broaden the spectrum to other disciplines across the campus.

“The limited technology of the 1960s projector is where the challenge is,” Allen said. “Getting imaginative when one has limited resources makes us better at it.”

One of the challenges is not necessarily the research it took or making a script but how to be sensitive to the audience, Petrie said.

“Being perceptive of what people need and want is a challenge for any educator or lecturer,” she said.

Petrie said she thinks people will enjoy the blend of current events, historical occurrences, and famous myths.

“It’ll help people gain an appreciation for mothers at large,” Petrie said. “I want people to enjoy themselves rather than have an academic experience.”

Sky Mothers will have three shows on Saturday at noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. The show will be in the planetarium in Sloan Hall 231, and tickets are $10.