April 23, 2026 8:00 PM (MDT)
Encounters in the Milky Way
Embark on a breathtaking time-traveling journey through the cosmos, witnessing the spectacular encounters that have shaped our solar system's past and future, all narrated by Pedro Pascal and visualized using groundbreaking data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission.
Produced by
Vivian Trakinski
Directed by
Carter Emmart
Project Description
Discover the chance encounters that have shaped our place in the universe.
Reaching billions of years into the past and peering millions of years into the future, Encounters in the Milky Way is a time-traveling journey about the cosmic movements that shape our galactic neighborhood.
Narrated by Pedro Pascal, witness spectacular moments in our solar system's past and future, including the paths of stars, comets, interstellar debris, and visually stunning gas and dust clouds–and, visualized for the first time, a dramatic, ongoing merger of our galaxy with a smaller satellite galaxy.
Developed by a team that includes astronomers, science visualization experts, and artists, Encounters in the Milky Way is made possible by data from one of the most transformative projects of the past century: the European Space Agency's Gaia mission, dubbed the "billion-star survey" for mapping the precise positions, distances, and motions of nearly 2 billion stars in our galaxy.
Encounters in the Milky Way was developed by the American Museum of Natural History (amnh.org) with the major support and partnership of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
About the Director
Carter Emmart was the director of astro-visualization at the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium, where he had spent nearly three decades transforming raw astronomical data into immersive cinematic experiences. As a central figure in the development of the Digital Universe Atlas, a comprehensive 3D map of the cosmos, Emmart has pioneered the use of scientific visualization to bridge the gap between complex astrophysics and public understanding. His work has led to the creation of numerous world-renowned planetarium shows that allow audiences to travel through the known universe in real-time. Recognized for his unique blend of artistic vision and technical precision, Emmart frequently collaborates with NASA and international research institutions to ensure that the wonders of space are both scientifically accurate and visually breathtaking for explorers of all ages.
