Did you know that everything on Earth—from vast desert sands and towering mountains to tiny plankton, massive elephant herds, and even our own bodies—is made of star stuff?
Discover what you’re made of in our new Frost Planetarium film, Spark: The Universe in Us. Produced by the California Academy of Sciences and narrated by actor Diego Luna, Spark explores our deep connection to stars millions of light years away and billions of years in the past. The show tells the story of how we are connected to the Universe, and how all the elements inside of our planet—and inside of us—originated in the cores of dying stars and other extreme explosive events.
Spark explores the periodic table of elements, offering a new perspective on where the 94 naturally occurring elements form in space. It also reveals how stellar phenomena created and dispersed the raw materials of galaxies, planets, and life itself. The film also features simulations of three astronomical events that have never been seen on screen before. Join us to witness them firsthand.
Spark is educational and entertaining for both astronomers and non-scientists because it was designed with viewers in mind. “Telling purely astronomical stories can be challenging when trying to make a connection to an audience,” says Ryan Wyatt, Senior Director of Cal Academy’s Morrison Planetarium and Visualization Studio, and writer and director of Spark. “These ideas can be so abstract, that finding a story that involves people and brings them into the narrative is elusive. So, starting in a place that’s human-scaled and familiar is a way of connecting the themes of the show to the world around us.”
Wyatt’s team accomplished this by beginning the show on Earth, using cutting-edge technology and digital artistry to fly viewers over a real waterfall in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, before zooming to outer space to explore more distant concepts like binary star systems, red giants, and other stellar phenomena with relatable narrator Diego Luna. The Cal Academy team also drew on the latest scientific research and incorporated the expertise of numerous advisors during the film’s development, ensuring that audiences will witness exploding white dwarfs, imploding red giants, vast planetary nebulae and more in stunning detail and with unparalleled scientific accuracy.
“We’re delighted to be adding Spark to the Frost Planetarium experience,” says Dr. Doug Roberts, President and CEO of Frost Science. “It’s a show that inspires curiosity at any age and fosters a sense of unity with the cosmos.”
Spark reminds us that although space may seem quite distant, the processes that formed us and our world are intimately connected to the stars, galaxies, and the very origins of the cosmos. As Diego Luna puts it, “We are the Universe seeing itself.” Although we can’t answer every question about our place in space, we promise that if you come see this stunning 24-minute planetarium show, you’ll leave with your curiosity…sparked.
Spark: The Universe in Us will be shown daily in the Frost Planetarium. For more information on Frost Planetarium shows, please visit frostscience.org/planetarium.
Spark contains flashing and fast-moving animations that may not be comfortable for all viewers.
Spark: The Universe in Us is a production of the California Academy of Sciences, distributed by Williamsville Central School District.