Stardust and water drops at the Weltmuseum Wien

Did you know that the International Day of Astronomy is in September because this month is particularly good for observing the sky? How perfect that our new exhibition is called Calabash Nebula!

Calabash Nebula is the name of a nebula in the universe, approximately 5,000 light years away from Earth. There, an old star is currently shedding its outer layers, causing gas and dust to be swirled through space at high speed. The nebula resembles a calabash, a round gourd used as a bowl or vessel in many parts of the world.

The artist Tabita Rezaire chose the name Calabash Nebula for her exhibition because, for her, it is a magical place where everything is connected – like in a round calabash in the vast star nebula. Her art combines modern technology with ancient knowledge, science with spirituality – and impressively shows how everything in the universe is connected: humans, animals, plants, water and even the stars. Her art invites us to rethink our relationship with the world and live in harmony with the Earth once again.

On this day, we invite children, parents, grandparents, young and old alike to view constellations in a mobile planetarium provided by the Department of Astrophysics at the University of Vienna in the columned hall of the Weltmuseum Wien, listen to stories about constellations, cosmic myths and Yemoja – the mother goddess of rivers and seas – and get creative themselves!

This event is particularly suitable for children aged 5 to 12 and their accompanying adults.

Programme on Sunday, 21 September

12.30 p.m.: Presentation in the mobile planetarium, 30 mins, Ticket: € 3 (reduced € 2)
1 p.m.: Story time: tales of gods and stars, 60 mins, Ticket: € 6 (reduced € 5)
2–4.30 p.m.: Open Family studio, star constellations, come and go, Ticket: € 4.50 (reduced € 3.50)
3 p.m.: Presentation in the mobile planetarium, 30 mins, Ticket: € 3 (reduced € 2)
3.30 p.m.: Story time: tales of gods and stars, 60 mins, Ticket: € 6 (reduced € 5)
4.45 p.m.: Presentation in the mobile planetarium, 30 min., Ticket: € 3 (reduced € 2)

In addition, a children's booklet about the exhibition is available for free.

The mobile planetarium will be located in the Hall of Columns at the Weltmuseum Wien between 19 and 21 September, with additional shows on 19 September at 3:30 p.m. and on 20 September at 2 p.m.