Trenton, NJ - The New Jersey State Museum is pleased to present an exclusive free screening of NASA’s new documentary, “Planetary Defenders.” The movie will be presented in the Planetarium on August 16 at 4:15 pm. Run time is one hour, fifteen minutes, after which there will be time for questions. Those interested in attending can reserve a seat using this link or visit the Museum’s website at statemuseum.nj.gov for additional details.
“Planetary Defenders” is a gripping documentary that delves into the high-stakes world of asteroid detection and planetary defense. The film takes viewers on a journey alongside a dedicated team of astronomers and scientists working tirelessly to track and monitor near-Earth asteroids, aiming to protect our planet from potential impacts. This documentary captures the intricate and collaborative efforts of these unsung heroes, blending cutting-edge science with personal stories to reveal the human spirit behind this critical global endeavor. Viewers will witness the drama, the challenges, and the triumphs of those on the front lines of planetary defense.
Dr. Jacob Hamer, Assistant Curator for Planetarium Education, says, “We are excited to partner with NASA to share with Museum audiences the important work astronomers do to defend our planet.” He continued, “This program aligns perfectly with our August 30 Science Under the Stars lecture, which will explore a new telescope that will help to monitor the potentially hazardous asteroids described in the documentary.”
The New Jersey State Museum is open Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:45 pm; closed on all State holidays. General admission is free. For additional information, visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov, like the Museum’s Facebook page (@NJStateMuseum), and follow us on X (njstatemuseum), Instagram (nj_statemuseum), Threads (nj_statemuseum) and YouTube (@newjerseystatemuseum1895).
About the New Jersey State Museum
The New Jersey State Museum is a center for the exploration of science, history and the arts. We preserve and share stories that inspire curiosity and creativity for the enrichment of our communities. Established in 1895, the State Museum’s collections in Archaeology/Ethnography, Cultural History, Fine Art and Natural History contain over 2 million objects. Located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, the New Jersey State Museum is the largest museum collection in the state and encompasses three buildings including a state-of-the-art Planetarium.
About the New Jersey State Museum Foundation
The New Jersey State Museum Foundation was founded in 1968 as a non-government, non-profit 501(c)(3) to support the Museum's collections, exhibitions, programs and research through fundraising, volunteerism and advocacy. In recent years, the Foundation has received generous support from the PNC Foundation, NJM Insurance Group, Department of State/New Jersey Historical Commission, New Jersey Council for the Humanities, The Henry Luce Foundation and Princeton Area Community Foundation. The Foundation also operates the Museum membership program, as well as the Museum Shop, which sells merchandise related to the Museum's exhibitions, collections, and New Jersey history and culture.