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Talks and shows

Beyond the Milky Way: VR experience with narration from Brian Cox

Join us for a 30 minute VR experience, with daily slots.

The world's largest radio telescope in the Australian outback
White Spark Pictures

About the experience

This event will run between Monday 24 July and Saturday 19 August. Click on the 'Book tickets' button to find available time slots. 

Deep in the western Australian outback, over 131,000 individual radio antennae are being built to work together as one giant telescope, giving us the power to visit the far corners of the Universe and break new ground in astronomical research.

When completed, the incredible SKA telescope will be a virtual time machine, allowing us to see further back in time than ever before to understand how our Universe came to be, and giving humanity its best-ever chance of discovering if there is other life out there.

Now you can experience ‘one of the most significant international scientific endeavours in history’ as you step onto the future site of the SKA telescope – and then travel to the furthest reaches of the Universe – in an immersive 360-degree virtual reality cinema experience.

Filmed with specialised cameras capable of extreme resolution and narrated by physicist Professor Brian Cox, through ‘Beyond the Milky Way’ we see our sky in unprecedented 360 degrees detail, witness our world from a new perspective and are transported to the edge of what's possible.

For a limited time only, join scientists, experts and ancient astronomers in their quest for answers, through the UK premiere of this unique cinematographic experience. Take your seat in the Royal Institution's London Theatre, open your eyes in the Australian outback, and then journey on, to beyond the Milky Way.

Watch our video to find out more

Age Guidance

Beyond the Milky Way is suitable for all audiences. However, the virtual reality (VR) headset is recommended for users 13 years and older. Children under 13 are still welcome to attend a session, but parental discretion is advised for wearing VR headsets. An adult will need to accompany any child under the age of 13. Not recommended for people with certain medical conditions; glasses can be worn under the headset, but the focus cannot be adjusted.

Please read the health and safety notice before you book.

Timings

There are 30 minute slots available between Monday 24 July and Saturday 19 August. This event will not run on Sundays. 

Available dates and times can be found by following the 'Book tickets' button on this page. 

Please arrive 15 minutes before your experience start time. If space allows, you will be allowed to attend a following session if you miss your original time slot.

About Beyond the Milky Way

Beyond the Milky Way is a White Spark Pictures production. Principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest. Financed with support from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources; the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR); CSIRO – Australia’s national science agency; the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre; Scitech and Inspiring Australia; SKA Observatory (SKAO); ASTRO 3D – the ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions; and the Western Australian Museum.

We acknowledge the Wajarri Yamaji as the Traditional Owners and native title holders of Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory site.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions