Planetarium Lates: Alien

Dynamic Earth is screening Ridley Scott's Alien on Saturday 24 October, part of their Planetarium Lates series. It's a late-night showing in Scotland's only 360-degree full-dome planetarium, which is where the venue usually does its astronomy shows, so this is a bit of a shift in tone. The film is the 1979 science fiction horror starring Sigourney Weaver, and the night is billed as a way to celebrate spooky season in Edinburgh.

It's a tense, atmospheric story about a small crew in deep space, and the full-dome setting should play into that feeling of being trapped and surrounded. The late-night slot fits the mood, too — it's an over-18s-only door, and there's a strict latecomer policy, so if you're running behind you might miss your chance to get in. The screening starts at 8pm, and since it's an adults-only night, it's more of a proper outing than a casual drop-in.

For context, Planetarium Lates is a regular thing at Dynamic Earth, with the planetarium hosting a range of films beyond the science stuff — The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Labyrinth and Love Actually have all had their turn on the dome. Dynamic Earth itself is in the Old Town at 112-116 Holyrood Gait, EH8 8AS, and the rest of the venue is a visitor experience that takes you through the story of planet Earth with interactive exhibits, state-of-the-art technology and a 4D encounter.

Tickets are £18 for adults and £16 for concessions, which covers students with a valid ID and people receiving Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseekers' Allowance or Pension Credit. The screening is on Saturday 24 October at 8pm at Dynamic Earth's Planetarium.