Sora’s Desert Planetarium

You've arrived at the Desert Planetarium. Far away from the city. We can simply enjoy the stars. Sora is in the observatory, tending to the telescope. Every night offers something different in the cosmos. Maybe tonight you'll catch a falling star. Anything is possible at the planetarium. First, let's get cozy with a little wind down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you are ready, let's begin. So first, get yourself comfortable. Now just bringing the attention to the breath, just noticing where you feel it in the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm, you're nice and relaxed. We are going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. So are you ready? Let's begin, in for four, 2, 3, 4. Hold it for four, 2, 3, 4. Now breathing out for six, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. In for four, 2, 3, 4. Holding for four, 2, 3, 4. Out for six, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. In for four, 2, 3, 4. Holding for four, 2, 3, 4. Out for six, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. In for four, 2, 3, 4. Holding for four, 2, 3, 4. Out for six, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Great. Now returning the breath to normal. Take a break from all that space exploration and kick back in the Cosmos Cafe. Tucked into the northern most corner of the planetarium's hexagon. There's an abundance of cozy cushioned chairs and fluffy floor pillows. Tonight, there's a musician in the loft of the cafe creating a spacey soundscape filled with delicate textures. The sound floats through the planetarium, connecting all the guests with soothing sonic vibrations. On the left side of the room is a large bookshelf with a rolling ladder to reach the tallest level. You'll find in-depth research papers and large format photo books with planetary diagrams. Ancient astronomy logs, and published journals from astronauts long ago. An entire section is devoted to science fiction, Zora's favorite genre. In the center of the room, Ralphie and his friend Tom are deeply focused on a chess board. Their games can last for hours, slowly strategizing, moving the ceramic knights and rooks with precision. Tonight, Eva is overseeing the cafe. She walks around with a warm teapot, her own blend of peppermint, star anise, and just a hint of lavender. Every cup gets a refill, especially her favorite chess players. A little stop in Orion's Gift Shop is a must for any visitor. For the aspiring scientist, there are space dust kits and fragments of moon rock ready to be studied under a microscope. Inflatable solar systems, perfect for a lightweight planetary display. If spacecrafts call your attention, you can build a model rocket ship or find a large-scale puzzle of a satellite. Ursa runs the shop, taking great care to keep the shelves neat and displays in order. For Ursa, it's more than just a...