The Northern Lights Space and Science Centre in Watson Lake, Yukon, is launching its summer schedule with hourly dome-theatre shows that let visitors view high-definition footage of the aurora borealis during daytime hours. Because the midnight sun makes real-time aurora sightings impossible in summer, the centre presents original cinematography of the phenomenon in its dome theatre, offering an indoor option for tourists and residents to experience the lights while the sun is still up.
Each presentation is a one-hour double-feature featuring videos of the aurora filmed over the Yukon paired with a secondary space-science program (examples include NASA’s THEMIS mission and other space-exploration programs). These films are projected onto a 100-seat dome using the SciDome HD system by Spitz, powered by Starry Night software; the two-projector configuration displays roughly 3 million pixels to create bright, immersive 360-degree imagery. The main aurora program is compiled from three years of original recordings taken in the Yukon.
The summer season runs from mid-May to mid-September at the facility located at 807 Frank Trail. Shows start daily at 11:00 a.m. and run every hour on the hour, with the final screening beginning at 8:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to check at the front desk (the facility also houses the Visitor Information Centre) for the specific titles playing each day, as secondary features can rotate.
Visitors can also explore exhibits about the legends of the lights from local Indigenous groups — including Kaska Dena perspectives — and other cultures from around the world. The building also serves as Watson Lake’s visitor information hub, making it a central stop for travellers looking for maps and trip advice while learning about northern science.
According to Heritage Yukon, the centre was built in 1996 to encourage travellers on the Alaska Highway to stop and spend time in town. It remains a major local attraction that helps support the community’s tourism economy during the busy summer months.
