Now Playing at Flandrau: "Messengers of Space and Time"
New NOIRLab show captures how astronomers at the International Gemini Observatory and NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory use time-domain and multi-messenger observations to understand our changing Universe
We’re thrilled to announce that Messengers of Time and Space, a captivating new planetarium show from NSF NOIRLab, is now playing at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium! This immersive fulldome show takes audiences on a journey to explore how astronomers use time-domain and multi-messenger observations to uncover the mysteries of our dynamic Universe.
Messengers of Time and Space showcases the vital role of observatories like the International Gemini Observatory and the soon-to-be-completed Vera C. Rubin Observatory. These cutting-edge facilities work together to spot and study cosmic events that change in real time—like exploding stars, cosmic rays, and the fleeting gravitational ripples caused by merging black holes. This collaboration is key to understanding the changing night sky and capturing cosmic phenomena that would otherwise be missed.
Funded through the GEMMA project (Gemini in the Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy) by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the show highlights how Gemini Observatory is being upgraded with innovative new technology to keep up with the flood of alerts from modern astronomical surveys. For example, Rubin Observatory’s upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will detect up to 10 million changes in the sky every night! With Gemini’s rapid response capabilities, astronomers can follow up on these discoveries in real time to learn more about the Universe’s most dramatic events.
Audiences will also learn how light isn’t the only messenger that brings us news from the cosmos. Cosmic rays, elusive neutrinos, and gravitational waves all carry their own stories about the life and death of stars, the collision of black holes, and the forces that shape our Universe. This show blends beautiful visuals with engaging storytelling to highlight how scientists are working together to see the Universe in new ways.
Come experience Messengers of Time and Space at Flandrau and embark on a thrilling journey through the ever-changing night sky. Don’t miss this chance to witness the next big chapter in our quest to understand the cosmos!
Audience: General audiences
Style: Fulldome film