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Yuri's Night At Stardome

Wednesday 11 April 2018, 3:29PM

By Beckie Wright

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For many years, the Unites States and the Soviet Union competed to be the first nation to push the boundaries of human exploration and venture into space. The Russian team eagerly developed the Vostok spacecraft to beat the USA into space by 1961 and sent a prototype, the Vostok 3KA-2 up carrying a life-sized dummy and an unsuspecting dog. The prototype was a success, finally leading to the Vostok vessel being ready to carry a human being. This year marks the 57th Anniversary since Yuri Gagarin became the first human to make it through our little blue planet’s atmosphere and out into space!

On April 12, 1961, the Vostok 1 spacecraft launched with Gagarin abroad. Gagarin orbited Earth once, reaching a maximum height of 327 kilometres during the 108-minute trip. While over Africa, the engines fired up to bring him back to Earth. When re-entering the atmosphere, Gagarin experienced forces up to eight times the pull of gravity, yet remained conscious. There was no way on Vostok 1 to slow its re-entry, so at about seven kilometres up, Gagarin ejected and parachuted to Earth, returning as an international hero.

So, go along and celebrate Gagarin’s outstanding achievement at Stardome this April 12th and watch a special space exploration planetarium show, followed by a presentation on Yuri. The evening includes a glass of wine or beer (R18, I required) along with special Russian treats, at $25 per person, bookings essential.

School Holiday Fun at Stardome -Water is the key to life on Earth. It is found everywhere - from ice bergs to geysers! NASA are continually hunting for extra-terrestrial life and in doing so their motto is “follow the water!” These autumn school holidays, the Stardome team is splashing into the world of water for an aquatic adventure, so get along and explore what water and ice are, where we can find it in our Solar System and how it got there in the first place.

Catch a planetarium show then head into the Space Room to have fun with interactive water and ice activities and experiments. If the weather is fine, you can head outside and launch water-powered rockets!  Weekdays 16-17 April, 10am, 1pm and 2pm, Adults $10, Children $12, bookings essential.

https://www.stardome.org.nz/show/aqua-adventures-autumn-school-holiday/

For more information on Auckland venue hire, party venues Auckland and NZ astronomy please go to www.stardome.org.nz .