Astronomy Night 12: Spielberg’s E.T. and the Full Moon

On the night of the last full moon of 2025, join us for a special screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), directed by Steven Spielberg. Before the screening, an astronomer will offer a short introduction on the film’s enduring significance in the age of exoplanets. In the early 1980s, astronomers worldwide were searching the Milky Way for planets around other stars, but no confirmed exoplanet would be discovered until 1992, a full decade after E.T.. With more than 7,000 exoplanets known today, we can now revisit E.T. in the gentle light of the full moon, with a renewed sense of wonder and context.

After the 15-minute introduction, the screening will begin at 6:15 PM inside the CASSA Office. At the same time, just outside the office, you will also be able to observe the full moon through CASSA’s telescopes, as well as with the naked eye.