For ages humans have based their destiny on them, sailors have trusted them to guild them over the oceans, and men proposed under them to charm the woman they love. How often do you just stop and look at the night sky and just let your imagination run wild? Does your mind go to the endless possibilities of life on other worlds and how it would live? Do you wonder about the endless world that circle around those stars and think of worlds that defies anything possible on earth.
Once you are done being in wonder at what’s above us, expand that knowledge with some on earth excitement. Vancouver’s Space Centre with its planetarium and theatre with shows throughout the day and its observatory has something for everyone. The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre has four main parts – the Cosmic Courtyard Gallery, Planetarium, Ground station, Canada Theatre and GMS Observatory.
The Space Centre is conveniently located on the south side of False Creek in Vanier Park. It’s in the same building as the Museum of Vancouver. The Space Centre is typically open seven days a week.
The Gordon MacMillan Southam Observatory is a real functioning astronomical observatory, how lucky are we to have this kind of opportunity, so don’t miss out. The Observatory’s half-metre Cassegrain telescope offers views of the Vancouver skies with instruction by a guide. Usually, open Wednesday and Friday evenings throughout the year from 6:30 pm until 11:30 pm. Admission is included with evening admission to the Space Centre, or by donation for people just wanting to see and use the telescope.
For some real fun hands-on fun, the Cosmic Courtyard Gallery is where kids can use their imagination to pretend, they’re in a real space station, with a model astronaut suit that people can take photos with, screens to watch a few videos, and models of space vehicles its everything needed to inspire our future space explorers!
Films in the Planetarium Star Theatre run for about 45 minutes each. They feature different topics including meteor showers, black holes, the Milky Way Galaxy, and numerous other astronomical sights and scenes. So, scratch that curiosity itch and learns something about what makes our universe of amazing.
The Ground Station Canada Theatre features live science shows and demonstrations about gravity, geology, space travel, what it’s like living in outer space and other topics. Presentations last for about 20 minutes each. Perfect for young child to learn without going over their ok, now what! Come on we have all been their when our child gets too honest when they get tired.
So, inspire your child to become the Canadian that sets foot on Mars. Let Vancouver’s H.R. MacMillan Space Centre be the start of that chain-reaction to further our understanding of the universe all because you took your child and set them on a journey of everlasting discovery!
Brian Smith
bsmith288@my.bcit.ca