Join Lucy Lawless and John Rhys-Davies in a stellar adventure as they navigate through the night sky and delve into the myths and legends behind the constellations visible in winter. Not only will you be introduced to fantastic Greek and Maori characters, you will also learn what a constellation is, how they are used for astronomical purposes and where the names of planets come from!
Our perspective of the sky is ever changing, which means we see different constellations and stars as we move through the seasons. For this reason, Winter Stories in the Sky is one of four shows in the Stories series. Each season, the show content changes based on what you can see in the sky around the night of your visit. You can keep coming back and meet new characters in the planetarium sky, then head out to the courtyard telescopes (weather permitting) and spot them for yourself in the real night sky.
With stunning 360-degree animations and a good dose of John Rhys-Davis humour, Stories in the Sky is suitable for both the young and the young-at-heart.
This series takes place once a season on the night of a solstice or equinox. It begins with the constellations visible after sunset and ends with the ones visible at sunrise, with some space travel here and there. It also explores what constellations are and how we use them for astronomical purposes. By doing this, we are introduced to some fantastic figures from ancient Greek myths and legends. But why do we use mostly Greek constellations in astronomy? You’ll find that out too, as well as learn about some of our local myths and legends from Aotearoa, New Zealand. Also, anytime a planet is discussed, you’ll get insights into where the planet names came from in English as well as in Te Reo Maori.
To go along with a live night sky show by a member of the Stardome crew where they can answer questions and point out slight differences in the sky from the show on the night of your visit, we have two guest crewmates. Lucy Lawless tells the myths and legends, but with a family-friendly twist that brings these ancient stories to life in a way they have never been told before (we didn’t want her to get too bored rehashing stories she has heard often enough before). John Rhys-Davies is our stellar navigator, who pulls from his previous astronomical knowledge as a member of the Planetary Society Advisory Council (and adds in some humour here and there as he is known for being able to do from watching him in some of his other roles).
Stardome’s gallery and exhibits are open every day and night, except Monday night. Please be aware that Monday – Friday during school hours, Stardome has no public planetarium shows.
Stardome is situated on the lower southern slopes of Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill), inside One Tree Hill Domain, accessed by the Manukau Road entrance.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
670 Manukau Rd, One Tree Hill Domain, Auckland, New Zealand
Our opening hours are:
Monday
Daytime 10:00am – 5:00pm
Evening Closed
Tuesday – Thursday
Daytime 10:00am – 5:00pm
Evening 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Friday
Daytime 10:00am – 5:00pm
Evening 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday
11:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday
11:00am – 10:00pm
Last entry to Stardome is 15 minutes before closing time.
Planetarium shows screen Tuesday-Sunday
Entry to Space Gallery & Exhibits
$2 per adult
$1 per child
Planetarium shows Wednesday-Sunday
Seasonal Night Sky show – 8PM
Adults $15
Children $12 (3-15yrs)
Seniors $12
Students (with student ID) $12
Family pass $40 (2 Adults and 3 Children)
Special – second show half price (see two shows on the same day)
All other shows (excluding Tuesday night and special events)
Adults $12
Children $10 (3-15yrs)
Seniors $10
Students (with student ID) $10
Family pass $40 (2 Adults & 3 Children)
Tuesday Special Shows
$35 Music and Laser Lights, and Wine, Cheese & Astronomy.
R13. Ticket package includes two glasses of wine (for customers aged 18 years and over) and snacks.