The Manitoba Museum is launching a series of events to explore the universe called 'Dome at Home'. 

On January 7 beginning at 7:00 pm the free half hour program will start, and the series will run each Thursday until March 25. 

"This is aimed at everyone that is interested in going out and looking at the skies. You can go out with your kids, your significant other, or your parents, whoever you happen to be sheltering at home with," says Scott Young, the museum's astronomer. 

Young will be the host for the evening's information portion. He mentions that it might be too much information for kids under 4-years-old, yet the event is about more than just exploring the universe. 

"It's also about doing things as a family unit. It's a fun thing to do together as you have this experience."

Young will be leading these events that people can join in from their computer, tablet, or phone. After the information portion, people will be encouraged to go outside on clear nights.

"Later in the series, we'll have some guests on from various other places but I'll be doing the first few shows solo."

The series is based on some of the programs that the museum and planetarium have run in the past, but this time people will be interacting from home. 

"When there's a meteor shower or a planet event we'll do a one-off event and you're stuck with, 'Oh is it cloudy?' This way we're on a regular schedule and we can plan for it. We have backup activities if it's not going to be clear."

Part of this series will help people recognize different star clusters in the night sky. One of the evenings Young will expand on the aurora borealis phenomenon, also known as the Northern Lights. 

"It's a great way to bring people together, get them outside into nature and participating in the universe," says Young. 

Stargazing has benefited Young personally and helped him mentally get through the pandemic.

"It really is a relaxation technique. You get stressed, you're stuck at home for a while, there are so many uncertainties. But then you go outside and you look up at the stars and all of that fades away because you suddenly realize you're apart of this big, amazing universe."

Stars in the sky. (Supplied by Manitoba Museum)