COMMERCE, Texas - The beginnings of life in the solar system are explored in the new show to be presented in May and June at the Texas A&M University-Commerce Planetarium.

"Origins of Life," which deals with some of the most profound questions of life science, will be shown at 7 and 8 p.m. Fridays starting May 2 through June 20. The Rock Hall of Fame with its popular rock music is offered on the first Friday of the month at 9 p.m.

"Origins of Life" starts with the big bang, covers prebiotic chemistry in the universe, the formation of stars, formation of solar systems, and the first life on Earth.

"This show is a motivational journey through time and a celebration of life on Earth," said planetarium director Dr. Kent Montgomery. "It features many recent discoveries related to life science, demonstrating that if there was ever a time that science made its greatest advances, it would be right now," Montgomery said.

Also in June and July, the planetarium is adding matinee shows on Wednesdays. The children's show will be at 1 p.m. with the 2 p.m. second show featuring "one of our favorite oldies," Montgomery said.

For a listing of matinee shows, go to the A&M-Commerce home page at www.tamu-commerce.edu, click on visitors and community, and then the planetarium link.

Tickets for the matinee will be $3 cash at the door. No reservations will be taken for matinees.

Admission to the Friday night shows is $3 for those under 18 and A&M-Commerce students with ID, $3.50 for university employees and senior citizens, and $4 for all others. A discount of $1 per person will be offered if tickets are purchased at the same times for two shows viewed on the same day.

Each planetarium show begins with brief remarks by a member of the planetarium staff, who displays the Commerce night sky on the planetarium's 40-foot dome and points out the current visible constellations, stars, and planets.

The audiences see the shows using the planetarium's state-of-the-art Digistar 3, an all digital projection system.

Viewers enjoy immersive theater viewing with tilted seats and 10-speaker surround sound during the shows, which last about an hour.

Reservations are urged and can be made in advance by calling 903-468-8650.

The planetarium will be closed from June 27-July 7.