A Space Adventure Through the Hubble Space Telescope

Narrated by award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio, “Hubble IMAX® Space Adventure” gives an inspiring and rare approach to the Hubble telescope’s legacy, and highlights its life-changing impact on the way people have viewed the universe and themselves. Entering the Discovery Place IMAX Theater, it’s hard to miss the oval-shaped screen planted inside the ceiling, which is vastly different from a typical IMAX experience. It feels as though you are deep inside space consumed by the sounds of a rocket launch. Even better, every seat is reclined for the full astronaut experience. The 40-minute film switches back and forth between footage from the struggles Hubble and its crew encounter and an in-depth viewing of a cosmological documentary.

From beginning to end, the film and its view through the Hubble telescope illustrates the astonishing beauty of the universe through the re-discovery of galaxy clusters. Children, especially, will enjoy traveling through real space-time by following the fast movement of stars and tracing years of life before watching them slowly dissolve into hot air. Hubble’s exploration into the unknown world brings viewers through the Orion Nebula and around the Milky Way. James Neihouse, directory of photography and the astronaut crew trainer, gives a first-hand experience of breath-taking photos that scientists and experts claim as “once in a lifetime moments.” From the Ring Nebula to the Large Magellanic Cloud, this is probably as close as we’ll ever get to space.

If you’re 100 years old or 4 years old, any moment from this documentary can spark a magical feeling inside. “Hubble IMAX® Space Adventure” runs through September 14. Visit discoveryplace.org or call 704-372-6261 for show times and pricing.