PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) will host Strange New Worlds: NASA’s Exploration of the Solar System from 7-8 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium.
This family‐friendly program will take audiences on a tour of the planets, moons, and icy debris that make up Earth’s solar neighborhood, highlighting the remarkable discoveries made by robotic spacecraft over the past decade and the questions scientists hope to answer in the years ahead.
Designed for enthusiasts of all ages, the presentation will explore everything from frozen water at Mercury’s poles to the slushy ices of Pluto. Attendees will also learn about upcoming missions, including plans to explore the Moon’s south pole and the anticipated arrival of the Europa Clipper at Jupiter’s ocean‐bearing moon.
Admission: $6 per child, $8 per adult, or $20 per family. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. Planetarium programs are generally not recommended for children under 5.
About the Program
The presentation will review major planetary science discoveries from recent NASA missions and preview the next decade of exploration. Through vivid imagery and accessible explanations, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic processes shaping the solar system and the tools scientists use to study distant worlds.
About the Presenter
Christine Shupla serves as the Science Engagement Manager at the Lunar and Planetary Institute. She brings 20 years of experience in planetary science education and an additional 15 years of planetarium work. Shupla and her team support early‐career planetary researchers and provide resources that help scientists and educators engage the public in STEM. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently works remotely from Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico.
For more information, visit PEEC’s website at peecnature.org/events. Stay connected on social media for updates on each week’s activities.
PEEC was founded in 2000 to serve the community of Los Alamos. It offers people of all ages a way to enrich their lives by strengthening their connections to our canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies. PEEC operates the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road, holds regular programs and events, and hosts several interest groups, from birding to hiking to butterfly watching. PEEC activities are open to everyone; however, members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and gift shop merchandise. Annual memberships start at $35. To learn more, visit peecnature.org/support/membership/.