Latest photos from the depths of space arrive on the big screen in Canberra

There’s nothing quite like the mind-boggling vastness of space to make you feel small.

And in time for the school holidays, local events company Dionysus is making the most of an empty warehouse in Fyshwick to bring that vastness to the capital.

‘Space Time’ gives Canberrans the opportunity to see the latest footage from the James Webb and Euclid telescopes, beamed millions of kilometres back to Earth and onto one of the giant inner walls of ‘The Vault’ building, in full 8K glory and set to a moving soundtrack.

“It’s amazing what this does,” Dionysus founder David Caffery says.

“A study came out recently that showed people have a sublime experience – something that really overwhelms them – and it makes them feel quite humble and they’re actually happier afterwards.”

The Vault is a 26×30-metre warehouse on Dairy Road that once served as a high-security facility for the Royal Australian Mint.

It’s set to be demolished to make way for the Molonglo Group’s plans for a new mixed-use precinct in the area, but until then, Dionysus founder David Caffery says they’ve effectively been “handed the keys”.

The original timeframe stretched from May to August, during which it’s a “blank canvas for presentations, parties and curated events” with room for up to 800 standing guests or 350 seated, but that now looks to be extended for a few more months.

Over two days earlier this month, it was transformed into a “dazzling roller skating rink” with learn-to-skate classes, roller dance classes, themed rink sessions, and all-ages and 16-plus roller disco sessions hosted by RollerFit.

Between 15 and 22 July, it’s becoming even more dazzling.

NASA launched the James Webb Telescope in December 2021, and the first photos came through in June 2022. It’s currently orbiting the sun, 1.5 million kilometres from Earth.

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Euclid telescope to a similar distance from Earth to map the visible universe.

“This is some of the most high-resolution telescope photography ever made … and it just made me think, ‘People have got to see this, and not just on their phone’,” Mr Caffery says.

The Dionysus team met with astrophysicists from the Australian National University (ANU), including Dr Brad Tucker, to help put ‘Space Time’ together, and there are plans for one to lead a talk during one of the sessions.

“For eight days, we’re going to show a half-hour loop over several sessions, and it’s going to change and we’re going to evolve it as new imagery arrives on Earth,” Mr Caffery says.

The first session at 1 pm will be more built around concerts and talks, but all of them are designed to be family-friendly.

“This is very much a ‘G’ show for general audiences,” Mr Caffery says.

“There’s layers here that kids will appreciate, but also adults.”

He says a voiceover and music will play an important role, piped through their “world-class sound system”.

Dionysus and the ANU hope to bring the show back in September, and beyond that, they are also working on a way to tour the country with it.

“I think we’ll hit a cultural chord, where people get to experience something out there they otherwise wouldn’t really think about.”

A day ticket, refundable up to 24 hours before the time slot, costs $9.50 for kids, $12 for concession card holders, $14.50 for adults and $40 for a family of four and allows entry to any of the sessions. There is also a “pay-what-you-can” option.

“We don’t think space should be limited by your financial capacity,” Mr Caffery says.

“We don’t ask any further questions; that’s just what we’ve accepted.”

Book tickets at The Vault.