Creating a Planetarium Show for the Cradle of Aviation Catholic Health Sky Theater

Stories Behind the Stars is an original planetarium program developed for the Cradle of Aviation’s Catholic Health Sky Theater, designed to integrate astronomical education with cultural storytelling. The program begins with an introduction to the celestial sphere, star naming conventions, and the role of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The second segment features a randomized selection of one of the 88 IAU-recognized constellations, allowing for the narration of its historical and cultural significance. This randomized structure ensures unique experiences for returning audiences and highlights lesser-known constellations. Content development draws from academic astronomy coursework, scholarly research, IAU materials, and diverse cultural sources. The program is implemented using Digistar 7, a hybrid Lua–Python environment, presenting both technical and pedagogical challenges. By blending scientific accuracy with narrative engagement, this project aims to enhance public understanding of astronomy through immersive, repeatable experiences.