GIVE ME SOME SPACE, AUTUMN

Stardome Observatory & Planetarium Announces their Ngahuru Programme
On now until May 31

As our nights get longer, Stardome is the place to be for everything out of this world. A go-to place to find out about all things happening in the Night Sky, news of the astronomical events are joined by a stellar public programme packed with space themed films, international space day celebrations and a full weekend of activity for Star Wars fans on May the Fourth. In addition to their regular educational shows the Stardome team are also delighted to offer accessibility events for neurodiverse and low vision space enthusiasts.

IN THE SKY 
Its all on in the night sky this season with eclipses, unpredictable comets and a meteor shower. The New Zealand skies make for good viewing of the best meteor shower of the year on Sunday 5 May with a new moon providing minimal interference to celestial hunters. For those with a keen eye for astronomy there’s also a chance to catch a glimpse of a partial lunar eclipse on 22 May, with the Moon appearing darker on one side as it rises in the evening.

The total solar eclipse on 8 April, will sadly not be visible from NZ but if you’re travelling to America you’re in for a treat. Two weeks after this on 21 April, our unpredicable astronomical friend the Comet Pons-Brooks makes its entrance, best viewed in our skies perhaps a month later as it comes back out from behind the sun. For the full astronomical calendar see: www.stardome.org.nz/astronomy-calendar

ON THE EARTH
Sci-fi at Stardome Back by popular demand, Sci-fi at Stardome returns from 27 March for its biggest season yet. Each fortnight, we'll be screening an iconic sci-fi film against the night sky inside our planetarium. Plus, every ticket includes free popcorn! Film titles include The Day the Earth Stood Still, Alien and Deep Impact. For the full programme visit Sci-Fi at Stardome.

Audio Universe Thursday 28 March at 7pm. A planetarium show where objects in space are represented with rich sounds in full surround-sound. Open to all but especially designed for blind and low vision visitors who can listen to the stars appear and hear the planets orbit around their heads. Audio Universe

International Day of Human Spaceflight Friday 12 April – Join us to celebrate a date synonymous with human endeavour in space. Also known as ‘Yuri’s Night’, to mark the anniversary of the eponymous Yuri Gagarin’s historic orbit of Earth on 12 April, 1961, and later, the first ever Space Shuttle flight of Columbia in 1981. Three planetarium films exploring human spaceflight will be running: Astronaut, Dawn of the Space Age and To Space and Back. Book now: www.stardome.org.nz.

Quiet Hour Tuesday 30 April – 3pm and 4.30pm. Offers a low-sensory environment tailored to accommodate individuals with autism or sensory and neurodiversity needs. Running in an ‘after school’ slot, this is the perfect time to explore Stardome and the universe beyond in a quiet and less-busy session. Quiet Hour

May the Fourth – Star Wars Weekend. Saturday May 4 and Sunday 5 May. May the Fourth be with you! And beware of the Revenge of the Fifth! It’s Stardome’s annual Star Wars celebration, where 30-minute planetarium shows exploring the planets of a galaxy far, far away will be running, alongside a Lego Star Wars display and visits by the Stormtroopers of the 501st legion! Plus, Star Wars spot prizes from the Stardome shop for the best costumes over the weekend. Booking soon via the Stardome website.

International Day of Light – Thursday 16 May. In conjunction with planetariums at Tūhura Otago Museum and Space Place in Wellington, Stardome will be marking the UNESCO International Day of Light. This global initiative explores the role of light in science, culture, art, medicine and elsewhere. Feauturing a special planetarium show for one day only, Travelling with Light. Booking soon via the Stardome website.

IN THE NEWS 
Stardome is excited about the successful lift-off of SpaceX’s rocket on 14 March. This historic third test flight paves the way for the development of a modified version of Starship which is planned for to use as part of the Artemis 3 program to land humans on the Moon as soon as late 2026.

The stardome team complete with astronomers, educators and space geeks are all available for interviews on space events and the public programme.

For more information visit: www.stardome.org.nz