experimenta will be offering a glimpse into the universe at several events in the coming weeks. An extraordinary journey through the galaxy will take place on November 12 and 13 in the Science Dome - accompanied by music from the "Stardust Sinfonie" ensemble. Finally, on December 15, the public will learn in a lecture what is hidden behind the term aircraft astronomy.
The universe has always fascinated mankind. Visitors to experimenta will be able to experience this fascination over the next few weeks: with musically accompanied views from space to Earth and a lecture on research aboard the flying telescope SOFIA.
Astronaut accompanies musical journey to earth
Audiences will experience an extraordinary journey through the galaxy to Earth in the production "Home Planet." It will be performed on November 12 at 7:30 p.m. and on November 13 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the Science Dome. In it, the dreamy-poetic live music of the ensemble "Stardust Sinfonie" with works by Erik Satie, Maurice Ravel and Edvard Grieg meets unique images of the blue planet: Thanks to special acoustics and a large dome screen, the Science Dome offers limitless listening and viewing pleasure.
ESA astronaut Dr Gerhard Thiele will be the speaker at all three performances. He accompanies the musical expedition with his stories about the universe. Admission costs 10 euros for adults and 8 euros for concessions. Tickets are available now at the experimenta ticket store.
Infrared astronomy from the airplane
SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy) is a flying telescope aboard a converted jumbo jet. Because the research flights take place above the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, the telescope is much closer to space than the instruments on the ground. The advantage: With SOFIA, researchers can study infrared radiation. This, in turn, is particularly suitable for studying molecules in space.
Klaus-Dieter Nijakowski from the Robert Mayer Observatory in Heilbronn was part of the 517th SOFIA mission as a crew member in the fall of 2018. On December 15 at 7 p.m. in the Science Dome, the physicist will report on his experiences during the approximately ten-hour observation flight with the Boeing 747SP. At this event, too, the audience will enjoy unique images projected onto the Science Dome dome. Admission costs 6 euros for adults and 4 euros for concessions.
Of Dark Matter and Survival on Mars
An interesting insight into current research in astronomy is also offered by the free SciDay lecture series, which is aimed at an audience of 14 years and older. On December 14, Prof. Dr. Rafael F. Lang from Purdue University in the USA will address the topic of dark matter and the question: What is the universe made of? The event will take place in experimenta's welcome room.
On January 25, 2023, geophysicist Dr. Christiane Heinicke from the University of Bremen describes her experiences of a unique project: For one year, she lived with five roommates in a self-contained housing unit on the volcano Mauna Loa in Hawaii. In the experiment, the team explored how life and survival might work on Mars. Heinicke's talk will be virtual. Registration for both SciDay lectures at. buchung∂experimenta.science is required.
From experimenta's press release, October 19, 2022.
