Think Like 'The Martian': 8 Out-of-This-World Activities for Events

An interactive art installation, which showed guests' figures mapped into the constellations using Kinect technology, offered out-of-this-world entertainment at the Canadian Film Centre's annual gala and auction at the Carlu in February 2012.

The Ink48, a Kimpton Hotel, in New York offers a host of astrology amenities for groups and meetings in its recently renovated Heaven Over Hell penthouse suite and event space. Activities include tarot card and palm readings, telescope rental, and a star-naming game (complete with a certificate personalized with the star name, date, coordinates, and a sky chart to pinpoint the exact location). Plus, the hotel will organize excursions such as a guided star observation hosted by the Columbia University Observatory and an astronomy lesson at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum complex. Pricing starts at $2,699.

Guests could take turns at a powerful telescope with an astronomer providing guidance during a Star Trek-theme vintner dinner, one of 17 celebrity chef-helmed events at private homes as part of the 13th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival in January 2013.

In March, space technology firm SpaceX hosted a reception for clients and partners at Washington’s Carnegie Library. At the event, guests could play Space Invaders, the screen for which was projected onto the walls of the venue.

For the 2011 Nuit Blanche, Flightpath, the centerpiece installation of “The Future of the Present” exhibit invited guests to pass "Flightschool" before riding a zipline over Nathan Phillips Square. A separate flight simulator allowed visitors to see a reimagined form of commuting.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens enjoyed a tarot card reading at the Svedka Valentine’s Day party at in West Hollywood in February 2014.

At art nonprofit Creative Time's fall ball in November 2014, guests played with an oversize Ouija board from art collective and performance group FCKNLZ.

At the third annual Summer Party on the High Line presented by Coach in June 2013, guests consulted a fortune-teller at the vintage-inspired carnival.