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Hubble Space Telescope: New Views Of The Universe
November 21, 2025 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
This traveling exhibit invites visitors to explore the science, discoveries, and engineering behind NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Through vivid imagery, authentic artifacts, and hands-on activities, guests will discover how Hubble has transformed our understanding of the cosmos. From swirling storms on distant planets to galaxies billions of light-years away, the exhibit offers an interactive journey through space science perfect for all ages.
Exhibit Stations:
- Introductory Panel – A welcome to the exhibit with an overview of Hubble’s mission and the original partnership between NASA, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Space Telescope Science Institute.
- The Tunnel – A walk-through tunnel filled with some of Hubble’s most stunning images, including a video ceiling that surrounds visitors with views of deep space.
- Centerpiece with Model – Features a 1:15 scale model of the Hubble Space Telescope and a “Science on a Sphere” globe showing its orbit, communication systems, and unique position above Earth’s atmosphere.
- Planets – Highlights Hubble’s observations of planets and moons, including Martian dust storms, a comet striking Jupiter, and volcanic eruptions on Io.
- Stars – Showcases star formation and death within our galaxy using iconic images like the Pillars of Creation. Interactive elements walk visitors through the life cycle of a star.
- Galaxies – Displays Hubble’s detailed views of distant galaxies and explores how they help astronomers study the age, structure, and future of the universe.
- Universe – Explores Hubble’s deepest images of the cosmos, including gravitational lensing and the Hubble Legacy Field. Features a kiosk where visitors can see how the telescope views the universe in different wavelengths of light.
- Servicing Missions – Tells the story of the five astronaut missions that repaired and upgraded Hubble. Includes real tools that flew in space.
- The Telescope – Offers a closer look at Hubble’s structure, power, optics, and design. Displays include a solar panel returned from orbit and backup hardware.
- Light – An interactive station where visitors can see their hands as Hubble would, using ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light.
- Skymap – Allows guests to explore Hubble’s view of the night sky by selecting stars, galaxies, nebulae, and more from an interactive map.
- James Webb Space Telescope – Introduces NASA’s next major observatory and compares its capabilities with Hubble. Features some of Webb’s first images and a look at how the two telescopes work together.
Included with regular museum admission.
