This year, Mars will the closest to Earth since 2003, looking bigger and brighter than usual. Don’t miss this opportunity to gaze through a telescope at the Red planet and catch the spectacular view of what could become our second home. Just think by 2035, the next time the two planets are this close again, humans could have walked upon its surface!
Stardome have a full ‘Mad about Mars’ line-up of events and resources to celebrate 2 months of stellar Mars-gazing.
Viewing Opportunities
Zeiss Telescope Tours
Wednesday-Saturday, July & August (weather permitting)
The large Edith Winstone Blackwell Zeiss Telescope is one of the largest telescopes in New Zealand accessible for regular public viewing. A maximum of 15 people can fit in the telescope dome at a time, so you’ll have a short, personalised and intimate tour including the opportunuity to look through the impressive telescope and witness Mars.
Opposition Open Night
27 July 6pm to late
While the closest approach isn’t until the 31 July this is family-friendly viewing event to celebrate the date of opposition Stardome will be open late (even later than usual), with the courtyard telescopes out, the large historic Zeiss telescope open, food trucks on site, short planetarium shows, special Mars space gallery editions and more!
Science Fiction Movie Nights
Red Planet Mars
18 July 8pm
Watch chaos unravel as American scientists somehow manage to contact and communicate with Mars. Follow the adventure as the world starts to face shattering political, economic and spiritual repercussions. Rated PG.
Robinson Crusoe on Mars
8 August 8pm
Join Commander Kit Draper as he is forced to crash-land on Mars in this 1964 sci-fi classic. Follow the adventure as he must figure out how to survive on the hostile, barren planet. Rated G.
For further information and to register: www.stardome.org.nz/mad-about-mars
