A new film designed for the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater, debuting at the American Museum of Natural History’s globe-shaped, laser-projection screen on June 9th (and to AMNH members starting June 6th), promises an immersive experience that showcases the Milky Way galaxy. “Encounters in the Milky Way” uses artistic renderings of real scientific data to describe the movement and interaction of stars throughout our galaxy.
The inspiration for the film comes from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, which has enabled astronomers to locate and track billions of previously unmapped stars. This new information has huge implications for our understanding of the cosmos, according to Jackie Faherty, senior research scientist and education manager at the museum.
The 20-minute film is designed to spark interest in learning more about the data gathered from the Gaia mission, providing an “Introduction to the map of your cosmos.” The show is suitable for both children and adults and features a goal of relatable motion described by actor Pedro Pascal as Earth’s “galactic neighborhood.”
Tickets are available online at $25 for adults, $14 for children under 12, and $20 for students and senior citizens. With its member appreciation benefits, becoming an annual member may be the better option, offering discounted admission to all regular events and programs, as well as discounts at shops and restaurants inside the museum.
The new show is part of a tradition that occurs only every few years, with the Rose Center housing the Hayden Planetarium opening in 2000. “Worlds Beyond Earth,” the most recent film, debuted in 2020.
Source: https://www.westsiderag.com/2025/06/06/stunning-space-film-premieres-june-9-at-natural-historys-planetarium