San Diego--Embark on an awe-inspiring trip around our world when the latest IMAX film, A Beautiful Planet, opens in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on Friday, July 1, 2016.

Directed by Toni Myers and made in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), A Beautiful Planet presents a breathtaking view of Earth with footage shot by the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

From space, Earth blazes at night with the electric intensity of human expansion--a direct visualization of our changing world. A Beautiful Planet shows the brilliant lights of some of our greatest cities, from Moscow and Tokyo to Rome and Tel Aviv. The film also points out the distinction of wealth and politics, represented by borders separating countries such as Pakistan and India, or North and South Korea.

Astronaut Commander Terry Virts--who resided on the ISS from Sept. 25, 2014, to June 11, 2015--says that in addition to footage of Earth, he tried to show what it was like to live and work on the ISS. "I tried to capture a lot of the daily life," says Virts, who is also depicted in the film performing a spacewalk, one of the most stressful jobs for the astronauts.

Another astronaut to shoot for the film, Flight Engineer Dr. Kjell N. Lindgren, who stayed on the ISS from March 27 to Dec. 11, 2015, captured some of the more stunning Earth sequences, such as footage of volcanic activity and the northern lights. "It was the one time during my stay in space that I got goosebumps," said Lindgren, regarding the aurora borealis. "It was rapidly undulating with beautiful neon greens, purples and reds. I think I was able to capture at least part of what that experience was like."

Prior to launch, producer and director Toni Myers and director of photography James Neihouse provided the collaborating astronauts from the ISS with a shot list of 100 to 150 targets, plus the freedom to shoot other images they found worthwhile. The astronauts had regular communication with Myers and Neihouse via NASA, as well as retired astronaut Marsha Ivins, who served as space operations consultant for IMAX on A Beautiful Planet.

With much of their schedule block filled with NASA duties, the astronauts who operated the cameras had to shoot the majority of footage during their personal time on nights and weekends.

"What struck me looking at Earth from space is the fact that you can really perceive it, visually, as a spacecraft," says Samantha Cristoforetti, an Italian and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, during the film. "I've heard before about spaceship Earth, but when you are up there [in the ISS] you really cannot escape that notion. It's totally obvious that it is a celestial body carrying all of us, all of humanity, all of life on Earth, on this journey through space."

Cristoferetti and the other crew members have a unique perspective as citizens of two homes floating in space--Earth and the ISS--carrying with them a profound appreciation for both.

The view of Earth from space is both beautiful and startling because it shows the impact humans have had on Earth over time. The effects of deforestation in places like Madagascar and the Amazon, the nighttime scene of fracking fires in the Gulf of Mexico and the glacial melting in Greenland are all visible from the ISS. Yet, it is within our power to protect the planet. As we continue to explore and gain knowledge of our galaxy, we also develop a deeper connection to the place we all call home.

A Beautiful Planet serves as a cautionary tale, yet a hopeful look forward. "I would certainly hope that particularly young people are curious about their surroundings on a broader scale," says director Toni Myers. "I think it's important that they know that there is real space exploration on a grand scale going on right now. When you think of what we've achieved in such a short time on Earth, you can't help but be optimistic. That's what it is to be human."

"The Fleet is tremendously excited to feature A Beautiful Planet in our IMAX Dome Theater," said Dr. Steve Snyder, CEO of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. "The film will help us connect our visitors to the incredible science that is happening above Earth, aboard the International Space Station.

"We're also all huge fans of Toni Myers' space films," Dr. Snyder added. "Her previous space film, Hubble, is a Fleet staff all-time favorite. A Beautiful Planet just may compete with Hubble to overtake that title."

A Beautiful Planet reunites much of the same filmmaking team of Hubble and Space Station, led by producer and director Toni Myers, who also wrote and edited the film, and director of photography James Neihouse, ASC, who also served as the astronaut training manager. Graeme Ferguson, IMAX co-founder and pioneer producer of many IMAX space films, is the executive producer and Judy Carroll is the film's co-producer. The music is composed by Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon. Sound design is by Peter Thillaye.

A Beautiful Planet is an IMAX Entertainment production, in cooperation with NASA.

A Beautiful Planet is available for public screenings, school and group reservations or private screenings at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center beginning July 1, 2016. Reservations can be made by contacting the Fleet Science Center directly. For school or group reservations, please contact the Client Services Department at (619) 238-1233 ext. 806 or ClientServices@rhfleet.org. If you would like to arrange a private screening of the film, please contact the Special Events Department at (619) 685-5729 or SpecialEvents@rhfleet.org. Tickets for public screenings are on sale now at the Fleet ticket counter and at www.rhfleet.org.

For more information, including show times, please visit: http://www.rhfleet.org/shows/beautiful-planet.

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Additional Links:

For more information on A Beautiful Planet, visit:  http://abeautifulplanet.imax.com/

For a current film schedule, please visit: http://www.rhfleet.org/shows/beautiful-planet   

The film trailer is available to view on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJpLjXbGIkQ

Press photos:  http://www.rhfleet.org/press-room/images#27316  

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To schedule a special screening of A Beautiful Planet or an interview with the filmmaker, Toni Myers, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org.

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Media Interviews:

The Fleet is pleased to have filmmaker Toni Myers available for interview in conjunction with the film.

Toni Myers

Director/Producer/Writer/Editor of A Beautiful Planet

Prior to A Beautiful Planet, Toni Myers most recently produced and directed the acclaimed 2010 space documentary Hubble, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. Prior to that, she served as a producer, editor and co-writer for director Howard Hall's 2009 underwater IMAX adventure Under the Sea, narrated by Jim Carrey. She previously teamed with Hall in the same capacity on the highly successful Deep Sea, which has grossed nearly $97 million and won Best Large Format Film awards at the prestigious WildScreen and Jackson Hole Natural History film festivals.

As a key member of the IMAX Space team, Myers wrote and edited multiple award-winning space films, such as The Dream Is Alive, Destiny in Space and Blue Planet. Myers also directed, produced, wrote and edited the IMAX space films Space Station and Hubble, both of which received the Best Film Award from the Giant Screen Cinema Association, and are among the most successful IMAX documentaries ever made.

During their extensive history-making IMAX space films, Myers has trained over 120 astronauts and cosmonauts to shoot film in space. In 2009, the astronauts of the STS-125 crew presented Myers with the Silver Snoopy Award in recognition of her excellence and achievements in bringing the space experience to IMAX audiences around the world.

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FOR MEDIA ONLY:

You're invited to the Premiere!

Members of the media are invited to join us for our premiere party for A Beautiful Planet on Tuesday, June 28, from 6:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. We will have a reception from 6:15 to 7 p.m., with the premiere screening of the film beginning at 7 p.m. and a dessert reception and an opportunity to meet director Toni Myers immediately after the film at 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served during both receptions.

If you and a guest would like to attend the premiere party for A Beautiful Planet, please RSVP to Nathan Young, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations and Promotions Manager, at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org. Space is limited. RSVP by Thursday, June 23, 2016.

Or RSVP via the link:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-beautiful-planet-registration-25940113578?ref=ebtnebregn