Planetarium Shows

Our shows at Carter Observatory feature a state-of-the-art, 20-30 minute digital film in the Pelorus Trust Planetarium, followed by a live presentation with one of our astronomers looking at the night sky over New Zealand on the date of your visit.

Regardless of the weather outside, we can guarantee a beautiful starry night inside the planetarium!

All planetarium shows run 45 minutes, unless specified otherwise. Check the event listing for show times on the day you plan to visit.

Wildest Weather in the Solar System

Join National Geographic on a spectacular journey to witness the most beautiful, powerful, and mysterious weather phenomena in the solar system. From a storm the size of a 100-megaton hydrogen bomb, to a 400-year-old hurricane, to a dust tempest that could engulf entire planets, you'll be glad you live on Earth!

Audiences will fly through the thick atmosphere of Venus, magnetic storms on the sun, liquid methane showers on Titan, and anticyclones whirling at hundreds of miles per hour on Jupiter. Packed with eye-popping visuals, high-end CGI, and cutting-edge science, Wildest Weather in the Solar System will blow you away! Narrated by Battlestar Gallactica's Michael Trucco.

Watch the trailer at www.wildestweathershow.com.

Wildest Weather in the Solar System generally plays daily at 3pm, and on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7pm. Check the daily event listing for other show times throughout the day.

Astronaut

The exploration of space is the greatest endeavour that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut?

Astronaut takes you from Earth into space…and beyond. Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to manoeuvring through microscopic regions of the human body.  Discover the perils that lurk in space as we subject “Chad,” our test astronaut, to everything that space has to throw at him.

Narrated by Ewan McGregor and presented in stunning high-definition 360-degree fulldome video and explosive surround sound, Astronaut is an experience like nothing on Earth.

Astronaut generally plays Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 4pm.

We Are Astronomers

Narrated by Dr Who’s David Tennant, and with a soundtrack composed by Wellingtonian, Rhian Sheehan, We Are Astronomers is an exciting new 360° fulldome digital planetarium show produced by NSC Creative in collaboration with UK planetaria. Released in late 2009, it is currently screening at Planetaria throughout the world.

We Are Astronomers reveals the global collaboration, technology and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the Universe. Visit the "Very Large Telescope" in Chile, the Large Hadron Collider, and explore the work and new discoveries uncovered by contemporary astronomers.

We Are Astronomers plays most weekdays at 12:30pm and at 8pm on Tuesday and Saturday nights. Check the daily event listing for other show times throughout the day.

Dawn of the Space Age

Re-live the excitement of the early days of space exploration, from the launch of the first artificial satellite 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.

Dawn of the Space Age plays on Tuesday and Saturday nights at 6pm. Check the daily event listing for other show times throughout the day.

Tycho to the Moon

A wonderful show designed for pre-schoolers through age 7, Tycho to the Moon  follows Tycho the dog in his spaceship kennel, as he flys from Melbourne out into space and beyond. See the Earth from space, chase a golf ball on the Moon and get a close up view of our own Sun.  

Tycho to the Moon plays at 10:15am on Sundays.

Film running time approximately 25 minutes, followed by a brief live presentation suitable for all ages.