![\"Movie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/81444549483-c5ec6fc7-69f8-468f-8458-82f6017ab27e-1200x900.jpg\")
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The Mount Stromlo Observatory held its first outdoor movie last Friday. It has more screenings of space-themed movies planned. Photo: Brad Tucker.<\/p>\n
A night under the stars has become all the more enjoyable with the Mount Stromlo Observatory turning its 74 inch dome into a cinema screen.<\/p>\n
After a huge turnout for its first screening on Friday 23 October, moviegoers have five more dates between Friday 13 November and 15 January 2027 to witness some of the best space-themed movies at the observatory.<\/p>\n
ANU associate professor Brad Tucker came up with the idea for the outdoor cinema following a couple of successful years of the observatory hosting events for one of Canberra\u2019s biggest outdoor festivals.<\/p>\n
From there, Dr Tucker shot for the stars and made the observatory one of Canberra\u2019s most unique moviegoing experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been doing Enlighten the past couple of years up at Mount Stromlo and one of the projection buildings is the 74 inch dome that we used for the Stromlo Outdoor Cinema screenings,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter seeing the projections, I thought it would make a great movie screen and hence the idea.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve also been looking for events to run up here in the summer, but it\u2019s a bit too late in the year for stargazing compared to the winter when we run our monthly public astronomy nights.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a perfect combination of how we can use the dome while also giving people a fun and memorable night out.\u201d<\/p>\n
The six movies slated for the outdoor screenings are some of the greatest space-themed movies of all time: Interstellar, The Martian, Arrival, Hidden Figures, Wall-E and The Hitchhiker\u2019s Guide to the Galaxy.<\/p>\n
Last Friday night\u2019s free screening kicked off with Interstellar with tickets being snapped up quickly after its announcement. Tickets for opening night were also free thanks to a partnership with a national mental health service.<\/p>\n
Discover how much fun science can be when you get hands on at Questacon.<\/p>\n Buy tickets<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe partnered with Headspace for this first one showing. They sponsored it to make it free for everyone who was able to book,\u201d Mr Tucker said.<\/p>\n \u201cHeadspace was eager to do something with us up here and in the end we thought working with us to show the film was a natural fit.<\/p>\n \u201cInterstellar was such a great film to kick off the event as well. Interstellar is such a popular and interesting film that really resonates with a lot of people. While the black holes and science are amazing, it has a great story as well, one that does connect us all, so it made a great choice.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the next movie, we will screen the modern-day classic The Martian on 15 November. The science embedded in The Martian is some of the best ever shown in a movie and the human connection just makes you want to go out and save Matt Damon yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n The next five movies will cost $15 each for adults, $12 for students and $8 for children.<\/p>\n To learn more about the Mount Stromlo Outdoor Cinema, visit the ANU website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1793341570_8_untitled-october-20-2026-at-115024-edited.png\")
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