Full guide: Schedule released for 2025 national science week in Alice Springs and beyond

Featuring visits to meteorite craters, an all female palaeontological band, an astrophysicist, and more, this year’s national science week offering in the Red Centre is shaping up to be monolithic.

Megafauna Central in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov.

A monolithic program with a theme of “decoding the universe” is part of a science extravaganza in the Red Centre – which is giving punters an opportunity to ask their burning questions at a unique location.

The Museum and Art Gallery of the NT (MAGNT) has unveiled a mammoth program featuring scientists, an astrophysicist, and more as part of this year’s national science week.

MAGNT head scientist Dr Kirsti Abbott. Picture: Amanda Parkinson

This year’s theme of decoding the universe has a focus is on Alice Springs and the surrounds – such as a meteor crater, MAGNT head of science Dr Kirsti Abbott said.

“It’s got a real opportunity for astrophysics – looking to the stars, which really takes us back to the early times on our continent, and Alice Springs in Central Australia is the perfect location to look back in time,” she said.

National Science Week runs from August 9 to 17, and across four days MAGNT will have seven events – including a guided tour of Henbury Meteorite Conservation Reserve – organised.

The Henbury meteorite was found in Northern Territory, Australia in 1931. Picture: File

Astrophysicist Dr Sara Webb and palaeontologists from Megafauna Central will be on hand at the meteor site to answer burning questions about science, Dr Abbott said.

Other events include meeting scientists whose careers span palaeontology, science communication, and astrophysics, going to a gig featuring an all-female music group by the The Ammonites, and more.

“If you live in Central Australia now, or if you’re visiting Central Australia and you think that this is the way it’s always been, think again,” Dr Abbott said.

“Jump onto one of these events and see what Central Australia and hear what Central Australia has been like over millions and millions of years.

“It gives you a good perspective on not only our own place in the universe, but our place in Australia.”

MAGNT director Adam Worrall Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

MAGNT director Adam Worrall said the events were designed to encourage community participation in STEM subjects.

“Given Central Australia’s rich geological, palaeontological and astronomical history, it’s the perfect place to be telling stories about the very beginning of our continent,” he said.

Tickets for the events are available online via Eventbrite or the Megafauna Central and MAGNT websites.

Full guide

Friday, August 8

1 – 3pm: Meet the scientists at Megafauna Central, Alice Springs – Free

7-9pm: Decoding the universe at Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs – from $10

Saturday, August 9 

1.30-3pm: Central Australia through time at Desert Knowledge Australia, Alice Springs – Free

6-9pm: The Ammonites Rock! at Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs – from $10

Sunday, August 10

10am-4pm: Henbury Meteorite Conservation Reserve Discovery Day at the Henbury Meteorite Conservation Reserve – from $80

6-8pm: The answer is 42 trivia night at Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs – from $5

Monday, August 11

7-9pm: Young Einstein film screening at Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs

Originally published as Full guide: Schedule released for 2025 national science week in Alice Springs and beyond