Local nature center brings NASA planetarium show to Los Alamos

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center welcomed residents to Strange New Worlds: NASA’s Exploration of the Solar System, a planetarium presentation that ran from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Los Alamos Nature Center. The one-hour program used immersive visuals to trace recent robotic discoveries across the solar system and to spotlight upcoming missions such as Europa Clipper and lunar south pole exploration.

Doors opened at 6:45 p.m., and admission for the evening was set at $6 for children, $8 for adults, and $20 per family. Program organizers designed the show to inspire learners of all ages, while noting planetarium programs are generally not recommended for children under 5. Attendees traveled virtually from Mercury’s icy polar shadows to Pluto’s slushy terrain and viewed the diversity of planets, moons, and debris that shape our cosmic neighborhood.

Christine Shupla, science engagement manager at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, led the presentation. Shupla brings more than 20 years of experience in planetary science education and 15 years in planetarium programming, and she leads a team focused on supporting early-career planetary researchers and strengthening STEM engagement among scientists and educators. Shupla holds a bachelor’s degree in astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and works remotely from Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico.

The program has local implications beyond stargazing. PEEC has served Los Alamos since 2000, offering sustained pathways for residents to connect with the canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies that surround the county. Regular planetarium and nature programs can bolster educational equity by providing low-cost, family-friendly STEM experiences close to home, supporting early science literacy in a community with many families tied to scientific and technical careers. At the same time, modest admission fees and age restrictions highlight access considerations for lower-income households and families with very young children.

Public health and community well-being also intersect with cultural and educational programming. Accessible local events offer mental health benefits through communal learning and nature connection, and representation in science education matters; having a presenter who works from Santa Clara Pueblo underscores opportunities to bridge tribal and regional perspectives in STEM outreach.

Residents interested in future programs at the Los Alamos Nature Center can find schedules and updates at peecnature.org/events or follow PEEC on social media. The center is located at 2600 Canyon Road and continues to host regular programs and interest groups ranging from birding to hiking to butterfly watching, maintaining an ongoing role in local education and community life.