Messengers of Time and Space

Learn How Astronomers Unravel Cosmic Mysteries

The stars in the sky may seem constant from night to night, but careful observations reveal a wealth of dynamic and fleeting events. From distant supernova explosions to hazardous asteroids speeding through the Solar System, the Universe is changing every moment.

Modern astronomical surveys, like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), will detect up to 10 million changes in the sky every night. Astronomers will be alerted to the most interesting events within minutes so they can rush to collect additional observations in hopes of making a new discovery.

Astronomers have also learned to measure cosmic rays, gravitational waves and elusive particles called neutrinos with the goal of revealing hidden details of the cosmos. To fully understand what these messengers have to tell us, astronomers use telescopes to look for the source of the signals, connecting them to stars, galaxies or dramatic events like neutron star collisions.

Telescopes providing the critical follow-up observations of short-lived phenomena must be capable of responding quickly and efficiently. With the new improvements provided by the GEMMA project (Gemini in the Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy), the International Gemini Observatory will become a global leader in these follow-up observations, able to study the faintest, highest-priority targets.

Messengers of Time and Space highlights how Gemini will work with observatories that monitor the night sky for exciting astronomical events that change with time, revealing new cosmic mysteries. Explore the dynamic cosmos and witness the transformative impact of real-time data on our understanding of the Universe.

Released in May 2025, Messengers of Time and Space was made possible through a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The 30-minute film is followed by a live astronomy program facilitated by a Science Museum astronomy educator.

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