According to the College of Arts and Sciences website, a special screening of the box office hit “Project Hail Mary” at Cornell Cinema will feature a researcher-led talk on real habitable worlds, alongside a prize drawing and a late-night open house at the Fuertes Observatory for live telescope viewing. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, August 28, bringing together science fiction storytelling and ongoing academic research into exoplanets.
Bridging Interstellar Science Fiction and Campus Research
Based on the novel by Andy Weir and distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, “Project Hail Mary” follows high school science teacher Ryland Grace, played by Ryan Gosling, who wakes up alone on a spaceship light-years from Earth. As detailed in Rotten Tomatoes data, the film grossed $318.3 million domestically following its theatrical release in March 2026. The storyline centers on Grace recovering his memory and tackling a mysterious substance causing the sun to die out, relying on unorthodox ideas and an unexpected friendship to save the planet from extinction.
Molly Ryan, director of Cornell Cinema, noted that the screening connects a futuristic cinematic adventure directly to cutting-edge research happening on campus. According to Ryan, the project illustrates how far researchers have come in exploring life in the cosmos while using science fiction to examine where humanity might travel next.
Did you know? “Project Hail Mary” runs for 2 hours and 36 minutes and earned a PG-13 rating for suggestive references and some thematic material, according to Rotten Tomatoes production notes.
Astronomy Talks and Exoplanet Hunting at Cornell
Before the film rolls, Lisa Kaltenegger, professor of astronomy and director of the Carl Sagan Institute, and Abigail Bohl ’26, a research intern at the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, will deliver a special presentation. According to event organizers, the talk will focus on the search for rocky exoplanets located within habitable zones, highlighting ongoing efforts to identify more than 45 rocky worlds with the potential to support life beyond Earth.
Attendees at the screening will automatically be entered into a prize drawing to win a copy of Kaltenegger’s 2024 book, “Alien Earths: The Science for Planet Hunting in the Cosmos.” Following the movie, the Cornell Astronomical Society will host an open telescope night from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Fuertes Observatory, located at 209 Cradit Farm Drive on campus.
Collaborating Departments and Event Tickets
The August 28 event is presented through a joint effort between Cornell Cinema, the Cornell Astronomical Society, the Carl Sagan Institute, and the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science. Tickets for the screening and talk are available directly through Cornell Cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the “Project Hail Mary” screening taking place?
The screening starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 28, at Cornell Cinema, followed by open telescope viewing at the Fuertes Observatory at 209 Cradit Farm Drive.
Who is speaking before the film?
Lisa Kaltenegger, professor of astronomy and director of the Carl Sagan Institute, and Abigail Bohl ’26, a research intern at the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, will deliver the pre-show talk.
What is the prize drawing for attendees?
Attendees will be entered to win a copy of Professor Kaltenegger’s book, “Alien Earths: The Science for Planet Hunting in the Cosmos” (2024).
Where can I get tickets?
Tickets can be purchased directly from Cornell Cinema.
Join the Conversation
Are you planning to attend the special screening and observatory open house? Share your thoughts on the intersection of astronomy and science fiction in the comments below, or explore our archives for more campus event coverage.
Worth a look