DOME THEATRE GUIDE

Dawn of the Space Age

The United States may have been the first country to put a man on the moon but the Soviet Union was the first to make a splash in space with two satellites and a dog called Laika. The Soviet Union’s 1957 launch of the Earth’s first artificial satellites in space –Sputnik and Sputnik II, which carried the ill-fated Laika – marked the beginning of a new quest for man: the exploration of life beyond Earth. The United States then joined the race to explore space. With John F. Kennedy announcing that the US would be the first to land a man on the moon. Take your own 'small step for mankind' and book your seat at Dawn of the Space Age, in our immersive Dome Theatre. From unmanned robotic surveying to ground breaking human explorers like Yuri Gagarin, Neil Armstrong and the team of Apollo 11. Book now, phone 09-624 1246

Dates: Time: Session duration: Suitable for: Cost:

01 Aug - 31 Aug, T, W, T, F, Sat, Sun 7pm - 8pm 60 mins 8 years - Adult $8 per person (Adults at kids prices) Click here for prices

Celestial Navigation

Join us as we honour history and look at some of the basic methods for celestial navigation, without the use of tools or instruments. Learn how to use your hands to measure the height of objects from the horizon, and how that can assist you with locating your latitude or predicting how long before an object sets. Learn how to locate the primary bright stars in the sky, which can be used to pin-point your position on the ocean. Bookings are essential for this once a month show. Price $25.  Book now, phone 09-624 1246

Dates: Time: Session duration: Suitable for: Cost:

05 Aug Tuesday Only 8pm - 10pm 120 mins 12 years - Adult $25 per person Click here for prices

The Sky Tonight

Join us this month at 8pm to learn about which planets, stars and constellations are visible in the night sky in August. Additional screenings on Friday & Saturday nights at 10pm. Sit back and relax in the high-back, reclined seats in the Stardome’s 360 degree immersive theatre. Following the 40-minute tour through August’s skies, we will move through to the Space Room for 20 mins, where we will look at the evolution of optical telescopes – from Galileo Galilei’s first optical telescope 400 years ago to Hubble and beyond – and learn how the telescope opened the universe to our observation, understanding and imagination. At the conclusion of our telescope presentation, weather permitting, we will move outside into the courtyard for approx 25 minutes to view the night sky through telescopes. And for an additional $10 on Thurs, Fri & Sat at 9.15pm, you can also view the night sky through the Edith Winstone-Blackwell Zeiss 0.5m Telescope if the night is clear. The Zeiss telescope is still one of the largest available for public viewing in New Zealand and in 1992 underwent major restoration. Click here for more information on the Zeiss Telescope. Book now, phone 09-624 1246

Dates: Time: Session duration: Suitable for: Cost:

01 Aug - 31 Aug, T, W, T, F, Sat, Sun 8pm - 9:30pm 90 mins 8 years - Adult Adult $16, Child $8, Family $45 Additional $10 for Zeiss Telescope on Thurs, Fri & Sat at 9.15pm Click here for prices

Heart of the Sun

Described by ancient cultures as the “engine of life”, the sun has lost none of its power to impress in the face of closer inspection. The Heart of the Sun uses spectacular footage and stills from the Yohkoh Satellite, SOHO Space Telescope and TRACE spacecraft to illustrate the enormous power and beauty of the Sun. The facts are impressive – the Sun “a ball of plasma big enough to swallow a million earths, churning out the energy of 80 billion hydrogen bombs every second” – but the images projected across the Stardome’s 360° theatre have to be seen to be believed. The wave-like movement of the Sun’s corona captured on film is reason enough to see Heart of the Sun. Book now, phone 09-624 1246

Dates: Time: Session duration: Suitable for: Cost:

01 Aug - 31 Aug, T, W, T, F, Sat, Sun 9pm - 10:30pm 90 mins 8 years - Adult Adult $16, Child $8, Family $45 Click here for prices

Zula Patrol

Join the Stardome team as we go on an adventure through the solar system with the Zula Patrol crew. As they try to foil the plans of the interplanetary villain Dark Truder, and rescue their friend Gorga, in this animated feature show. A great treat for the kids in the weekend, as they learn about weather on Earth and other planets. Make the most of the day with all that One Tree Hill has to offer families. Adults at kids prices. Suitable for 3 years and above. Book now, phone 09-624 1246

Dates: Time: Session duration: Suitable for: Cost:

01 Aug - 31 Aug, Sat & Sun 2pm - 3pm 60 mins 3 years - Adult $8 per person (Adults at kids prices) Click here for prices

Legends of Orion

Join Aesop the owl and Socrates the mouse, on a journey through space, to tell the animated story of Orion the Hunter. Hear the importance of his club, his shield and his belt – which can be seen in our night sky. And learn how many constellations (or groups of stars that join together to make an image) can be seen in New Zealand’s night sky every night! Suitable for 5 years and above. Book now, phone 09-624 1246

Dates: Time: Session duration: Suitable for: Cost:

01 Aug - 31 Aug Sat & Sun 3pm - 4pm 60 mins 5 years - 10 years $8 per person (Adults at kids prices) Click here for prices