Visiting the stars, planets, and telescopes in VR

Having a computer strapped to my face for 40 minutes was one reason to feel a little sweaty. But the tour of the Universe I had just received in virtual reality—including visits to the near vicinity of the Sun, the giant black hole at the center of our galaxy, and a hellscape of an exoplanet 41 light-years distant—provided another excuse for sensing some heat. Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a 40-minute astronomy walk-through.

It debuted in Washington, DC, in May with solo adult tickets now ranging from $29 to $35 and group tickets for four or more starting at $18 each (all now discounted by 15 percent); it will also open in Denver, Orlando, Florida, and San Antonio, Texas, later this year. I stopped by on a Monday in June to take it in. After some onboarding that included setting such preferences as closed captioning and signing a waiver, I had enough time to sit on a bench next to the exhibit space (which has hosted other VR experiences ) to enjoy watching another attendee with a VR headset blurt out, “Oh my God!” The VR experience combines stunning visuals with educational content, making complex astronomical concepts accessible to a broad audience.

As users explore the universe, they gain a deeper understanding of celestial bodies and phenomena. With its engaging and immersive approach, Smithsonian Starstruck has the potential to inspire a new generation of astronomers, scientists, and space enthusiasts, contributing to a growing trend of interactive and experiential learning. This experience also highlights the expanding role of VR in education and entertainment, raising questions about the future of immersive technologies and their applications across various industries.