Pedro Pascal Blasts Off as Space Show Narrator: Secret Spiral Discovered in the Oort Cloud at Hayden Planetarium
Journey through the Milky Way with Pedro Pascal in Hayden Planetarium’s stunning new space show—and learn about a galactic discovery.
- Debut: June 9, 2025, at New York’s American Museum of Natural History
- Length: 20-minute immersive cosmic experience
- Discovery: Never-before-seen spiral shape in the Oort cloud during production
- Stars Mapped: Over 2 billion in the Milky Way by ESA’s Gaia mission
Step into the universe as you’ve never seen it before. Pedro Pascal, Hollywood’s beloved “internet boyfriend,” lends his unmistakable voice to Encounters in the Milky Way, the sensational new space show at the iconic American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium. As starlight sweeps across the dome, audiences soar past glittering constellations and planetary wonders, feeling their seats rumble as though launching into the cosmos.
Set to debut on June 9, 2025, this 20-minute cosmic journey is the seventh and most ambitious space show at the Hayden Planetarium. It’s timed to the 25th anniversary of the Rose Center for Earth and Space—a testament to a quarter-century of inspiring awe and curiosity.
What Makes “Encounters in the Milky Way” Unlike Any Other Space Show?
This isn’t just your average planetarium experience. Encounters in the Milky Way plunges you into swirling clouds of cosmic dust and radiant fields of stars. Stunning visualizations—backed by the revolutionary data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission and jaw-dropping galactic imagery from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope—make you feel like you’re voyaging across the galaxy.
Pedro Pascal’s powerful narration guides you through breakthroughs in our understanding of how Earth spins, how our seasons change, and how even the Sun migrates through the Milky Way’s intricate dance.
What Was Recently Discovered in the Oort Cloud During Production?
For the first time, a major scientific discovery unfolded during the making of a Hayden Planetarium Space Show. As producers fine-tuned simulations of the Oort cloud—a massive halo of icy remnants from our solar system’s birth—they stumbled upon something incredible: a striking spiral structure made of billions of comets, resembling a miniature galaxy.
This formation had never been seen before. Detailed in The Astrophysical Journal, the revelation is already generating buzz in astronomy circles and could reshape our understanding of the outer reaches of our solar system.
Who Created This Mind-Blowing Experience?
Encounters in the Milky Way is the result of cutting-edge collaboration. Astronomers, science visualization experts, educators, and artists merged their talents to bring this cosmic odyssey to life. Leading scientists—like Jackie Faherty, a senior research scientist at the museum—played key roles in both research and production, ensuring a show grounded in the most up-to-date science.
As museum experts explain, discoveries like the Oort cloud’s spiral are only possible thanks to today’s advanced models and vast celestial data sets—proving there’s still much left to unveil in our own cosmic backyard.
How Can You Make the Most of Your Visit?
1. Purchase tickets ahead online to secure your seat—shows are expected to sell out.
2. Arrive early to explore the Rose Center’s interactive exhibits before liftoff.
3. Bring questions for museum docents; many are astronomers eager to chat about the latest discoveries.
4. Stick around after the show for stargazing programs or science talks on select nights.
Why Is Wonder the Key to Scientific Discovery?
The museum’s director of astrovisualization, Carter Emmart, believes wonder fuels the imagination—and imagination sparks new understanding. By immersing young and old alike in the sublime mysteries of the universe, Encounters in the Milky Way aims to ignite curiosity and motivate future generations of explorers.
For the next breakthrough, it could be you gazing upward, chasing the next cosmic secret.
Ready to Embark on Your Own Stellar Adventure?
- Book your Hayden Planetarium tickets for Encounters in the Milky Way now.
- Read up on the Oort cloud and latest cosmic discoveries via NASA and ESA.
- Bring friends and family for an unforgettable inspirational journey.
- Keep your eyes on the skies—you never know what you might discover next!
