Planetarium review: Invaders of Mars, Royal Observatory, Greenwich ***

12:33pm Tuesday 6th January 2009

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Taking one small step for Leisure, Kerry Ann Eustice explores the red planet at the new Peter Harrison Planetarium show, Invaders of Mars

Had space exploration of Mars rested on its early 20th century laurels, popular opinion may well still be that the red planet was characterised by a network of canals surrounded by Martian-built communities and settlements.

This theory was campaigned by astronomer Percival Lowell, (after he spotted what appeared canal lines from the Lowell Observatory, Arizona) one of the men who discovered Pluto.

But as we soon learn in Invaders of Mars — the Peter Harrison Planetarium’s latest show — these notions didn’t last long and, as technology and telescopes advanced, our picture of Mars became much clearer.

While this show isn’t as beautiful as Star Life — which elegantly explores the birth and death of stars, galaxies and nebulas via breathtaking imagery — it is as fascinating.

Via sweeping cinematography (beware if you have sensitive motion sickness) and authentic photography, Invaders shows off the planet’s baron-looking landscape which is covered in colossal volcanoes (one has an opening the size of LA) and uber canyons as wide as the US, as well as its two moons, the captured asteroids Phobos and Deimos.

Perfect narration from Tom ‘Doctor Who’ Baker reveals while Deimos is orbiting and getting further away, Phobos circles ever closer to Mars and will one day make contact, creating yet another massive scar on its surface.

Those early theories about Mars inspired countless science-fiction literature but the easy-to-follow information shared here could provoke something too — an interest in the exciting realm of space science. Educational yet thrilling fun for the entire family.

Invaders of Mars at the Peter Harrison Planetarium, Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Opening times: Term time weekdays 3pm. Weekends and holiday weekdays: 1pm (suitable for ages five plus), 2pm(suitable for under fives), 3pm(suitable for ages five plus. Box office 020 8312 6608.