Music, science and our place in the cosmos: composer Eric Whitacre and scientists on a cinematic journey to icy worlds and distant galaxies.

Join celebrated composer Eric Whitacre for celestial journey exploring the outer reaches of our Solar System, with a screening of Deep Field: The Impossible Magnitude of our Universe, inspired by the iconic images captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Through film, short talks and a panel discussion with leading astrophysicists, psychologists and engineers from Thales Alenia Space, discover how we experience space and develop technologies to unlock the Universe’s deepest mysteries. You’ll hear about NASA’s missions looking for signs of life and local companies at the forefront of robotic lunar and Martian exploration, developing the first human outpost on the moon.

From the psychological challenges of space travel and eating in orbit, to the role of music and multisensory design, Prof Charles Spence explains how our senses shape our perception of unfamiliar environments — and what it might take to feel at home in space. Dr Kya Sorli takes us to icy moons, asteroids and comets, searching our Solar System for conditions that could support life beyond earth. Venture to the furthest reaches of the Universe with Dr Héloïse Stevance, where AI is helping astronomers sift millions of signals to uncover exploding stars, black holes and new cosmic mysteries. Expect music, film, big questions and extraordinary science.

Ticketing: Pay What You Decide (PWYD)

Event format: FILM, MUSIC & PANEL DISCUSSION

Event duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Age: All ages

Event start: 5.15pm

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Eric Whitacre, Prof Charles Spence (Somerville College), Dr Kya Sorli, Dr Heloise Stevance, Lucia Rodriguez Roces (Thales Alenia Space), Somerville College.

https://ericwhitacre.com/ (https://ericwhitacre.com/)https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/find-an-expert/professor-charles-spence (https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/find-an-expert/professor-charles-spence)https://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/about/fellows/heloise-stevance/ (https://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/about/fellows/heloise-stevance/)www.thalesaleniaspace.com (http://www.thalesaleniaspace.com/)

Somerville College gratefully acknowledges the support of Helen Morton, who has generously supported Eric Whitacre’s position as Musician in Residence at Somerville College, 2026-2027.

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