Launceston Planetarium

3, 2, 1 - Lift-Off! follows the story of an inquisitive hamster and an unlikely friendship with a robot from outer space who has crash landed on Earth.

The story follows the duo as they work to find a way to re-connect the robot with their family in outer space, and the science required to achieve that.

The story is fun, adventurous and educational, and will offer a brilliant story for visitors looking for a weekend activity, or classrooms looking for their next school excursion.

Following each show, we share a viewing of what you'll be able to see in the night sky that same evening. This is a great way to engage viewers with what's happening in space, what you can see here from Earth, and where we fit into the universe.

* This show is friendly for young children.
3, 2, 1 - Lift-Off! is best suited for our young space explorers. Expect to enjoy playful and age-appropriate explanations about space science through engaging and fun storytelling.

View upcoming 3, 2, 1 - Lift-Off! shows

Join QVMAG astronomers Chris and Johnny on a fascinating journey through the cosmos.

In this live talk series, we will explore a wide range of topics covering the science, stories and surprises of our Universe – from tides here on Earth to the nature of light and time to the large-scale structure of the Universe. We will also look at the question of life elsewhere and some of the misconceptions and conspiracy theories that abound on the fringes of the internet.

With each talk discussing a different celestial subject, this series is sure to inspire and reveal something new every time.

View upcoming sessions of Beyond the Dome

Birth of Planet Earth is a show that tells the twisted tale of Earth’s origins.

Our planet formed four and a half billion years ago, and scientists now think that our galaxy is filled with planetary systems, including planets roughly the size of our own.

An important question is how the Moon formed. According to a major hypothesis, it came into being as a result of a catastrophic collision, which is depicted realistically on our planetarium dome.

The show examines the questions of how Earth become a living planet in the wake of our Solar System’s violent birth, and what its history tells us about our chances of finding other worlds that are truly Earth-like.

View upcoming screenings of Birth of Planet Earth

Imagine a region of space from which even light cannot escape. That is what many scientists, including Einstein, imagined long before we showed that they actually exist. There is even a huge one right in the centre of our Milky Way galaxy. 

In this amazing program, produced by the Melbourne Planetarium, we take a look at what black holes really are, how they form, and how the wonderful physics of how black holes distort space and time. We even take a look at what would happen if we got too close to one - and it's something that we don't recommend! 

View upcoming screenings of Black Holes

As part of our program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first footsteps on the Moon, the Planetarium presents the show CAPCOM GO! 

Apollo 11, in 1969, was the mission during which the first men walked on the Moon: Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin.  The moonwalk took place on 21 July 1969 (Australian time).

The show describes how the United States space agency NASA began its human spaceflight program with the launch of the first American into space in the early 1960s.  NASA gradually built up its expertise until it was ready to attempt the July 1969 lunar landing.

The show's title, CAPCOM GO!, relates to the person in the mission control centre who was given the title CAPCOM, short for 'Capsule Communicator'.  It was CAPCOM's role to be the only person speaking with the astronauts.

View upcoming screenings of CAPCOM GO!

Astronomers today are exploring the universe on a grand scale. But knowing what's out there is just the first step. 

Putting the pieces together to unlock the mysteries of the universe is the ultimate goal. 

Narrated by Academy Award winning actor Geoffrey Rush, you can discover the new astronomy being carried out under the breathtaking skies of the Australian outback. What new things shall we learn about the Cosmos? 

Capturing the Cosmos was produced by Melbourne Planetarium in partnership with the ARC Centre of Excellence for All-Sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO), a consortium of seven universities across Australia. 

This show explores the current research being carried out by CAASTRO astronomers as they search the sky in ways never before possible:

• New and innovative telescopes, such as SkyMapper in New South Wales and the Murchison Widefield Array in Western Australia, have been designed to survey large sections of the sky. 

• The SkyMapper telescope led by Nobel Laureate and CAASTRO astronomer, Professor Brian Schmidt, is helping to solve the mystery of Dark Energy.  

• The Murchison Widefield Array is a radio telescope that is investigating the moment when the first stars and galaxies lit up the Universe.

They are finding things we've never seen before that will help us to better understand our universe.

View upcoming screenings of Capturing the Cosmos

Light pollution. Have you ever heard of this term? How can something as essential as light even be associated with pollution? And yet – it is.

For several centuries, we have become accustomed to lighting up artificial light sources after dark, considering them natural. But it’s not. Living organisms, both plants and animals, have adapted to the natural cycle of day and night for tens of millions of years. Our biorhythms work in accordance with sunrise and sunset.

The artificial disruption of this cycle has serious consequences, not only for our health but also for the environment and the economy. So why is the increasing level of artificial lighting dangerous for us?

In Dark Side of Light, discover what is hidden under the term 'light pollution' and what each of us can do about it.

Developed by seven European astronomy and planetariums: Brno Observatory and Planetarium (Czech Republic), Planetarium Hamburg (Germany), Planetarium Wenus (Poland), Slovak Central Observatory (Slovak Republic), TIT Planetarium Budapest (Hungary), the Baia Mare Astronomy Science Museum (Romania), and the Austrian Planetarium Society (Austria). Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

View upcoming screenings of Dark Side of Light

A show that provides a fascinating look at space history – from the launch of the first artificial satellite in 1957 to the construction of the International Space Station and beyond.

From the launch of the first artificial satellite Sputnik to the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights – be immersed and overwhelmed with this most accurate historic reconstruction of Man’s first steps into space.

Who were these men and women that took part in these death-defying endeavours? Witness their drive, their passion, and their perseverance to explore, in Dawn of the Space Age.

The show includes the exciting first footsteps on the Moon and the development of huge space stations.

View upcoming screenings of Dawn of the Space Age

A pilot, an astronomer, and a little girl. Three people, three different perspectives on the sky.

Edge of the Sky is not only about clouds, but also about dreams, courage, and human curiosity. The show traces a single summer day from three viewpoints: an astronomer at a Chilean observatory, a glider pilot, and a little girl with her head in the clouds. Each perceive the sky in their ways – as an obstacle, as a challenge, and as an infinite space for the imagination.

What you see is no illusion. The filmmakers really did soar in gliders high above the Tatra Mountain, and hauled cameras through Patagonia’s wild winds – as they filmed at –40 °C seven kilometers above the Earth.

Visit the driest place on the planet, where clouds are a rare phenomenon and an object of scientific interest. And just when you think you cannot go any higher, you will rise 35 kilometers above the Earth to the very edge of the sky.

"It is intended for viewers of all generations—from child explorers to adult dreamers,” says Tomáš Tichý, the film’s director and chief cameraman. 

Produced by Brno Observatory and Planetarium, Czech Republic.

View upcoming screenings of Edge of the Sky

Take a celestial discovery to understand humanity's place in the cosmos.

The night sky, both beautiful and mysterious, has been the subject of campfire stories, ancient myths and awe for as long as there have been people. A desire to comprehend the Universe may well be humanity’s oldest shared intellectual experience. Yet only recently have we truly begun to grasp our place in the vast cosmos.

To learn about this journey of celestial discovery, from the theories of the ancient Greek astronomers to today’s grandest telescopes, we invite you to experience From Earth to the Universe.

This stunning, 30-minute voyage through space and time conveys, through sparkling sights and sounds, the Universe revealed to us by science. Viewers can revel in the splendour of the worlds in the Solar System and our scorching Sun.

From Earth to the Universe takes the audience out to the colourful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars, and still further out beyond the Milky Way to the unimaginable immensity of myriad galaxies.

Along the way, you will learn about the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope, and today’s giant telescopes that allow us to probe ever deeper into the Universe.

Produced by the European Southern Observatory.

View upcoming screenings of From Earth to the Universe

Join showman extraordinaire "The Great Schiaparelli" as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium.

From the sun-scorched surface of Mercury to the icy expanses of Pluto and beyond, prepare to be subjected to the myriad dangers and wonders of our Solar System, on a breathtaking tour that reveals just how precious our home planet really is.

Be warned though, the Observatorium isn’t just for show. It will transport the audience right to the heart of some of the deadliest locations in our slice of the heavens. It’s going to take some fancy flying to get everyone back in one piece!

Produced by NSC Creative, Leicester, United Kingdom.

View upcoming screenings of The Great Solar System Adventure

This immersive planetarium film tells the story of Māori/Pasifika, and European Navigation towards Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of an intrepid teenager, Moko.

The budding navigator transports herself into the world of her Pacific ancestors and onto the decks of their voyaging canoes. As a scientist and explorer, she takes in the view of Earth from space and crosses cultures to witness the worlds of Captain Cook and the Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman.

With Moko, we stand alongside the navigators, explore their traditions, uncover their science, and wrap it all up in the space knowledge we have today. The film encompasses the experiences of historical and present-day voyagers. Every storm, latitude, star path and sunrise has been lived.

View upcoming screenings of Ngā Tohunga Whakatere: The Navigators

One small step was just the beginning.

Now, we take One Step Beyond – driven by curiosity, bound for Mars, and ready to write the boldest chapter in human exploration.

Experience the thrill of launch, the challenges of life in space, the cutting-edge technology of NASA’s Artemis program, and the search for life that could transform how we see our planet, our past, and our place in the cosmos – as we prepare for humanity’s biggest step yet: setting foot on Mars.

Narrated by Richard Armitage, prepare to take an immersive journey to space like never before.

View upcoming screenings of One Step Beyond

Origins of Life deals with some of the most profound questions of life science: the origins of life and the human search for life beyond Earth.

Starting with the Big Bang, the show deals with the prebiotic chemistry of the Universe, the formation of stars, formation of solar systems, and the first life on Earth.

Furthermore, Origins of Life covers the great extinctions as well as our search for life beyond our planet.

This show is an inspirational journey through time and a celebration of life on Earth.

View upcoming screenings of Origins of Life

When two young adventurers build a toy rocket made of cardboard, they find that it can take them on an amazing journey into space.

Embark on an epic adventure as the imaginative children spend a night touring the solar system alongside their ship’s navigator, a talking astronomy book. They are able to travel into the Great Red Spot of Jupiter and fly through the rocky rings of Saturn. They land on gloomy Venus, our crater-filled Moon, dusty-rusted Mars, and tiny, cold Pluto. They are able to fly past Mercury, observe Uranus and its upright ring system, and finally soar through Neptune, the last of the Gas Giants.

* This show is friendly for young children.
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket is best suited for our young space explorers. Expect to enjoy playful and age-appropriate explanations about space science through engaging and fun storytelling.

View upcoming Secret of the Cardboard Rocket sessions

The Sun is the only star that we can study from relatively close range, and learning more about our Sun helps astronomers to understand more about other stars.

The Sun: Our Living Star presents a wealth of information about the Sun in an easily understandable way. It includes spectacular graphics showing how the Sun generates its energy, and that it reveals many of its secrets to astronomers, who observe it in different wavelengths of light.

This exciting program about the Sun was produced by the European Southern Observatory. It made its world debut at the International Planetarium Society Conference in France in July 2018.

* This program is suitable for ages 5 and up. 

View upcoming screenings of The Sun: Our Living Star

Blast off on an amazing ride with Tycho the dog and his young friends.

Learn about night and day, space travel, phases of the Moon, and features of the lunar surface. Take a close-up look at the Sun, see Tycho play in zero gravity, witness Earth from space, and watch meteors shoot across the night sky.Blast off on an amazing ride with Tycho the dog and his young friends.

Learn about night and day, space travel, phases of the Moon, and features of the lunar surface. Take a close-up look at the Sun, see Tycho play in zero gravity, witness Earth from space, and watch meteors shoot across the night sky.

* This show is friendly for young children.
Tycho to the Moon is best suited for our young space explorers. Expect to enjoy playful and age-appropriate explanations about space science through engaging and fun storytelling.

View upcoming screenings of Tycho to the Moon

What does the Earth look like? When you close your eyes, you likely imagine a blue planet floating peacefully in space.

Surprisingly, this iconic image has been with humanity for only about half a century, when it first glimpsed just over 50 years ago.

Since that transformative moment, our perception of Earth has been continuously evolving. In the crystal-clear lenses of satellites, our planet reveals itself in unexpected colors and patterns, providing enormous amounts of data to us.

This show presents the story of how satellite technologies have revolutionized our understanding of our home. We witness Earth not merely as a static blue marble but as a dynamic, ever-changing ecosystem. Thanks to advanced orbital observations and in-situ measurements, we gain unprecedented insights, enabling us to react swiftly even to sudden environmental shifts and natural disasters.

Discover how continuous advancements in satellite technologies and coordinated global Earth observation programs empower us to monitor our planet more accurately than ever before and respond more effectively to its ongoing transformations.

View upcoming screenings of Unseen Earth

Earth is now a small world. The human race is connected better and faster than ever before, but what about elsewhere?

Could we one day be part of a galactic community sharing our knowledge and ideas, or is Earth the only planet with life?

From the National Space Centre in the UK, this entertaining show will take you on an epic ride in the hunt for the evidence of alien life. With full-dome graphics and narrated by Rupert Grint, We Are Aliens balances science, education and family entertainment.

View upcoming screenings of We Are Aliens

Climate change is one of the most significant threats that we as humans currently face.

The world, its peoples and environments are connected and interdependent. From the smallest bacteria to the largest ocean whale; there exists a link between all things.

In a world out of balance, We Are Guardians looks at how ecosystems are intrinsically connected and with the increasing use of satellite monitoring, examines the links between human activities and climate change.

We Are Guardians is a highly immersive, leading-edge look at the role of satellites in orbit around Earth - how they monitor the effects of a changing climate, and how the information they provide will be crucial in our fight to reduce harmful emissions.

This show is suitable for families.

View upcoming screenings of We Are Guardians

We Are Stars, was produced by NSC Creative in the United Kingdom, who also produced our very popular show We Are Aliens.

The show takes a light-hearted look at the way stars burn, producing the range of elements with which we are so familiar.  Indeed, most of the material in our bodies, and in everything we use each day, was formed deep inside the stars! 

Narrated by Andy Serkis, We Are Stars includes many other interesting facts about these celestial bodies across the universe.

View upcoming screenings of We Are Stars