[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/3dtheatre.jpg” caption=”Moviegoers prepare for a showing of Extreme Alien Worlds last week during the Origins Institute’s 3D theatre kick off event at the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery. “]Moviegoers are now able to reach out and (nearly) touch the stars thanks to McMaster's
Origins Institute.

Audience members gathered in the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and
Discovery earlier this month and were treated to the film Extreme Alien Worlds in 3D, which gave
viewers a new way to explore planets and moons found within our solar system.

The 3D theatre – which doubles as a lecture hall during the day – first opened in 2006
and was among the first such theatres in the Hamilton area. Officially re-opened last
week, the Institute has shown films to sold-out audiences for the last number of weeks,
despite doing little in the way of promotion.

The facility uses two projectors, one of which emits horizontal light waves, the other
vertical, onto a perforated screen. The screen bounces the light back to viewers who
wear special glasses, which fool the brain into seeing images in three dimensions.

Shows are an hour long and include a question and answer period with a graduate
student. Private viewings for groups can also be booked.

“People love topics like these,” said Rob Cockcroft, a PhD candidate who manages both
the theatre and the McCallion Planetarium. “There is definitely an appetite for learning
more about astronomy.”

Organizers plan to release a new movie every fall, with next year's schedule to focus on
cosmology.

“The public is very excited by this,” said Ralph Pudritz, director of the Origins Institute.
“People go to universities to be exposed to new and interesting things, and that's
exactly what we're doing with the 3D theatre.”

For details on upcoming shows and to reserve tickets, visit the href=”http://origins.mcmaster.ca/3D-theatre/”>Origins Institute website.