Closed today. Open again on Tuesday, April 28, 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Dark Biosphere

Life, the ability to reproduce, metabolize, grow, and adapt, thrives across our world, but might it exist elsewhere in our solar system, or on exoplanets orbiting other stars? Lifeforms inhabit some incredibly inhospitable environments on Earth. Dark Biosphere explores the hidden realm of extremophiles, organisms that thrive in hellish environments, and delves into how their existence informs our search for life beyond Earth. Could such organisms spread from world to world by a process known as panspermia? Discover the possibilities with narrator Viggo Mortensen.

Narrated by Viggo Mortensen, directed by Javier Bollain, and produced by Render Area.

open captioning available Open Captioning Available

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Show Times

Through May 5th:

Saturdays at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets

Tickets are available in-person at the counter or get tickets online. Prices are $5.50-$7.50 per seat. Discounts are available.

Venue

The Faulkner Planetarium, Idaho's largest domed theater, features the latest in fulldome technology, capable of virtually transporting audiences around the world and to the universe's far-flung reaches. The theater can seat 144. Open captioning for the hearing impaired is available upon request for many programs.

What's Showing Now Directions

Available for K-12 and Group Reservations

What is life? Can it truly be defined? Life, as we know it, needs water, a source of carbon, minerals, and a source of energy to survive. These things exist elsewhere in our solar system and beyond. Does this mean life can exist beyond Earth? This show explores extremophiles on Earth and what their existence means in the search for life beyond our planet. Life’s building blocks exist throughout the universe and can spread from place to place. Could living organisms spread from planet to planet? Might life have migrated to Earth? This thought-provoking show looks at the nature of life, our origins, and what it might mean.

Book This Show

You can schedule a private showing for school field trips or private events!

Private Event School Field Trip

Educational Concepts

  • Definition of life (attempted)
  • Extremophiles: definiton
  • Nature
  • Living conditions
  • Ramifications for life beyond Earth
  • Life's Requirements
  • Carbon, minerals, water, and a source of energy
  • Water within the solar system
  • CHNOPS (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur)
  • Organic molecules
  • Panspermia: molecular and biological
  • Exoplanets
  • L.U.C.A. (Last Universal Common Ancestor)

Suggested Grades

7th and up