Was there life on Mars?

That's the question as the Carnegie Science Center celebrates Mars Weekend Saturday and Sunday.

The new planetarium show "A Traveler's Guide to Mars" will open at the Carnegie Science Center as part of Mars Weekend. Mars Weekend Featuring: Premieres of "A Traveler's Guide to Mars" in the Buhl Digital Dome" and "Roving Mars" in the Rangos Omnimax Theater; hands-on activities Where: Carnegie Science Center, North Shore When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Tickets: Activities and "A Traveler's Guide to Mars" included in admission, $14 for adults, $10 for children and seniors. "Roving Mars" OMNIMAX movie additional charge. Information: 412-237- 3400.

Visitors have the chance to try hands-on adventures like stomp rockets, Mars soil activities and drivable Mars rovers and watch the premier of two new shows -- A Traveler's Guide to Mars and Roving Mars.

Internationally-recognized astronomer, author and artist Dr. William K. Hartmann will be there to talk with the visitors as he takes them on a voyage of the solar system.

The out-of-this world celebration kicks off with official proclamation by the Mayor of Mars, PA, Richard Settlemire, at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Along with driving Mars rovers on a simulated Martian surface, those attending will be able to make Martian soil, sundials and craters, examine real meteorites, and partake in egg drops, solar observation and rocket launches.

A Traveler's Guide to Mars, a 20-minute guided tour of the Martian surface, a production by Buhl planetarium staff at the Carnegie Science Center, is aimed at providing the audience a feeling of fellow astronauts exploring the red planet. It is the first show in Buhl Digital Dome developed by Buhl Planetarium staff in collaboration with Dr. Hartmann.

"It's going to be shown first ever in Pittsburgh and nationwide," said Kim Bonenberger, marketing communications manager at Carnegie Science Center, who expects a good crowd.

Meanwhile, Roving Mars details the development of Spirit and Opportunity, two of NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers, from their assembly through their fantastic discoveries that have set the pace for a whole new era of Mars investigation as they journey on their scientific quest to the surface of Mars.

Opening in Rangos Omnimax Theater on May 12, "Roving Mars" runs through spring 2008.

Dr. Hartmann, a scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Arizona who was an investigator on the Mariner 9 Mars probe which mapped the Red Planet for the first time in 1972, will deliver his talk at 1 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

After his presentation, visitors will be able to talk with Dr. Hartmann, whose Ph.D thesis speculated that Earth's moon was spun off earth by a huge impact, a theory which was roundly criticized.

A $10-ticket for children and $14-ticket for adults covers the program including A Traveler's Guide to Mars show and the four-floor exhibit of the Science Center.

Children seeking to watch only the Roving Mars show will be required to pay $6 and the adults $8.

However, residents of Mars, Butler County, will receive a $2 discount off the general admission for up to two people when they show their driving licenses.