Space Sciences

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New JWST Image of Cat’s Paw Nebula: NASA Scientist Explains

Get ready to witness the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) like never before as it turns 3 and unveils a jaw-dropping view of the Cat’s Paw Nebula, one of the most dynamic star-forming regions in our galaxy.
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Shuttle Mir

June 29th is the anniversary of the first docking of an American space shuttle to the Russian space station Mir. Today this event is barely remembered, but this was a seminal moment in human spaceflight. So I’m going to take the opportunity to go into the...
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How to Spot a Cosmic Bull’s-Eye

On July 12, Venus aligns with Aldebaran, the glowing red “eye” of the Taurus constellation, creating a rare and striking double-dot in the dawn sky. This celestial alignment makes Taurus easy to find and forms a perfect cosmic bull’s-eye.
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2:20

3 Real Space Facts from Star Wars

Ever wonder how much of Star Wars is based on real science? In this video, we explore three iconic space ideas from the galaxy far, far away—and uncover the surprising truths behind them.
Theater Show
Saturday, June 28 | 5:00 pm

Sally

Sally offers an intimate portrait of astronaut Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, scientific trailblazer, and LGBTQ+ icon.
Article

Remembering Cassini

Of all the spacecraft that have been sent across our solar system, I have a favorite: Cassini. July 1 marks the anniversary of Cassini’s entry into Saturn orbit back, so it seemed a good time to look at this spacecraft’s mission—and why it has earned its...
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You’re About to Live the Shortest Day in History

You may be about to live through the shortest day ever recorded on Earth. Scientists predict that July 9th, July 22nd, or August 5th could mark a new record—Earth spinning up to 1.5 milliseconds faster than usual. That’s faster than a blink!
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Rival of Mars: Getting to know the Summer Star Antares

Summer in the northern hemisphere marks the reliable return of the star Antares. It’s a massive, dying star, but it doesn’t get enough attention. Join me for a deep dive into this fiery sign of summer, the star Antares!
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Meteor Shower Alert: Will the Boötids Light Up?

The Boötids meteor shower can go from barely noticeable to a full-blown spectacle—sometimes reaching over 100 meteors an hour. Most years, it’s a quiet display with just a few streaks, but in rare outbursts like 1998, the sky lit up with activity. Active...
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The Trials of G-CLEF (or So You Want to Build a Giant Observatory)

We are days away from first light on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, the next great Earth-based telescope! I’m going to dive into some of the things that need to happen to design, build, and install a single instrument on such an observatory, quite aside...
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3 Stars Mean Summer Has Arrived: Spot the Summer Triangle

The Summer Triangle is back — and it's lighting up the night sky in spectacular fashion! Whether you're a stargazing pro or just discovering the magic above, this easy-to-spot formation marks the arrival of summer across the Northern Hemisphere.
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Planetary Profile: Eccentric Earth

It’s actually an interesting exercise to think about Earth no differently than the way one thinks about the other planets in the solar system. Earth is, after all, a planet and can viewed through the same lens as we would use for Mars or Neptune. So let’s...
Event
Saturday, June 7 | Doors at 6:50 pm, screening at 7:00 pm

Special Screening: A Million Miles Away

Watch the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José M. Hernández on the IMAX® Dome screen, then meet him after the film.
Event
Monday, June 2 | 7:00 pm

Space to Sea: Discovering The Gulf of Maine’s Ocean Wilderness

Join us for the premiere of Space to Sea in the Mugar Omni Theater. This short film by conservation photographer Keith Ellenbogen showcases New England's vibrant marine life and reveals the beauty of this vital ecosystem.
Article

Mapping the Stars: A Brief History of the Constellations

The creation of constellations is something we see in cultures from around the world. Even if they didn’t fill the sky with shapes, many people created at least a few key sky patterns. So let’s dive a little into the history of our modern “official”...