Celebrate 100 Hours of Astronomy & World Space Week with our incredible lineup of special shows + talks, workshops and more.
THUR, 01 OCTOBER | 14:00
Public Show: "Journey to the Stars" + Astronomy Talk
Journey to the Stars presents the fascinating story that connects us all to the stars. This will be followed by a talk by Dr Tanita Ramburuth-Hurt on "We are made of star dust" on how elements in the Universe are created inside of stars through nuclear fusion, long after the Big Bang. Among these elements are carbon, iron and calcium, the very building blocks of which we are made, meaning that we literally come from star dust.
Rising Star presents an astronomical journey from our beginnings through the development of astronomy research in South Africa through multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astronomy. This will be followed by a talk by Dr Sheldon Herbst on "Astronomy Through the Spectrum" where we will travel through the electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays, exploring how astronomers detect these different forms of electromagnetic radiation and, more importantly, what phenomena produce them.
Public Show: "Worlds Beyond Earth" + Astronomer Panel
Worlds Beyond Earth takes viewers on an exhilarating adventure through our cosmic neighborhood. Immersive visualizations showcase the solar system with unprecedented accuracy, including a landing on the cratered surface of our own Moon, a dramatic flight through the swirling rings of Saturn, and soaring encounters with distant worlds of active volcanoes and buried oceans. This will be followed by "Ask an astronomer" panel where public can ask space related questions to a panel of astronomers.
Dark Universe celebrates the pivotal discoveries that have led to greater knowledge of the universe and our place in it. This will be followed by a talk by Dr Sam van Leuven on "Black Holes: From Cosmic Shadows to the Fabric of Reality". Black holes are one of the most dramatic objects in the universe, and with recent discoveries have been transformed from strange mathematical possibilities in Einstein’s theory of gravity into real objects present even in our very own galaxy.
Cosmic Collisions delves into the destructive but beautiful collisions that fuel our universe. This will be followed by a talk by Dr Anton Dmytriiev on "Cosmic Messengers: Exploring the Universe Beyond Light" on astronomy discoveries from high-energy particles known as cosmic rays, elusive particles called neutrinos, and gravitational waves.
Test Your Space Knowledge! Gather your team and get ready for a fun, challenging quiz celebrating World Space Week at the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome. Teams of up to 6 people Tickets: R20 per person
Public Show: "Passport to the Universe" + Astronomy Talk
Passport to the Universe takes audiences on an incredible journey through the observable universe. This will be followed by a talk by Dr Nikhita Ramkilowan on "Your place in the universe".
In this hands-on workshop, kids build their own space game using real code! Hosted by Chelsi Goliath (Computer Scientist), They'll build a rocket that follows the mouse, leaves a fiery trail behind it, and flies through a sky of twinkling stars. Clicking a star makes it burst into sparks. Along the way, they'll learn real programming concepts like variables, loops and animation. No coding experience needed, just curiosity! NB: Bring your own Laptop, iPad, Tablet & Mouse
Astronomy and Wellbeing: Part 3:The Space Traveller
The night sky has inspired us throughout the ages. We have travelled with our imagination, created stories and poetry and art in response to our longing to travel and to understand. Constellations have guided travel across oceans and continents. Join neurologist Dr. Kirti Ranchod as we travel through space and time with the words of authors and poets. This session will also feature a guided relaxation session, introductory neuroscience of imagination, and an opportunity to share your questions and stories.
Cosmic Collisions, narrated by award-winning actor, director, and producer Robert Redford, features stunning images from space and breathtaking visualizations. Cosmic Collisions reveals the explosive encounters that shaped our solar system, changed the
course of life on Earth, and continue to transform our galaxy and universe.
Featuring exquisite renderings of cosmic phenomena and spectacular scenes in deep space, Dark Universe celebrates the pivotal discoveries that have led us to greater knowledge of the structure and history of the universe and our place in it — and to new frontiers for exploration.
Journey to the Stars, narrated by Academy Award winning actress Whoopi Goldberg, features extraordinary images from telescopes on the ground and in space and stunning, visualizations of physics-based simulations. Visitors are launched through space and time to experience the life and death of the stars in our night sky.
A captivating explanation of fundamental cosmology narrated by Tom Hanks, cutting-edge science creates images of unprecedented realism as viewers begin to understand the enormity of the cosmos. Passport to the Universe is an “evergreen” presentation—always relevant, always educationally important, always illuminating.
The Search for Life, narrated by Academy Award nominated actor Harrison Ford, launches visitors on an awe-inspiring trip through space and time from the depths of Earth’s oceans to the outer reaches of the cosmos to explore the links between life on Earth and the potential for life on other planets.
Featuring immersive visualizations of distant worlds, groundbreaking space missions, and breathtaking scenes depicting the evolution of our solar system, Worlds Beyond Earth narrated by Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o, takes viewers on a journey that reveals the surprisingly dynamic nature of the worlds that orbit our Sun.
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