Space Jesus at Temple Square

We brought a young friend who was visiting from Austin TX to see The Space Jesus at Temple Square last week and she was giddy with excitement. I would love to hear anyone's corrections on this story but the urban legend I've heard regarding the beautifully painted (but scientifically inaccurate) space mural is that the LDS church purchased a backdrop from the Ringling Bros Circus long, long ago when the statue was in a different building entirely. The followers were so used to it as part of the exhibit (not to mention it ties into the belief about owning your own planet, becoming a god etc.) that when they rebuilt the Visitor Center they had it's likeness recreated. Again, might be totally inaccurate but leave a comment if you know the boring facts.