The National Museum of Natural History and National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall will be open today, Tuesday, February 9.
All other Smithsonian Museums, including the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA, remain closed on Tuesday, February 9.
Some events may be canceled. Call 202-633-2214 for information.
Now Showing at National Air and Space Museum Theaters
Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity
There's a place from which nothing escapes, not even light, where time and space literally come to end. It's at this point, inside this fantastic riddle, that black holes exert their sway over the cosmos. Zip through other-wordly wormholes, experience the creation of the Milky Way Galaxy, and witness the violent death of a star and subsequent birth of a black hole. Mathematical equations, cutting-edge science, and Einstein's theories fill in holes along the way, providing the most complete picture yet on this mysterious phenomenon. (25 min.)
Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag follows American F-15
Eagle pilot John Stratton as he trains with some of the world’s best pilots.
The movie depicts Stratton’s progression through the challenging and dangerous
exercises of Operation Red Flag, the international training program for
air forces of allied countries. (2004, 40 min.)
Our journey to the stars spans billions of years, beginning on Earth and extending through time and space until returning home. Discover the history of our universe, from the birth of stars from hydrogen, helium gas and dark matter, to the development of star clusters and planets to the present day demonstration of how stars work–including phenomena such as million-degree corona blasts to the fusion of atomic nuclei. Using our familiar night sky, viewers will see how the stars go through this life process and learn what stars have made possible. (2009, 24:30 min.)
One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure follows Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. (20 min.)
FREE Admission
Please note: tickets available free at Planetarium box office. Tickets may be ordered by phone at 202-633-4629 or 1-877-932-4629 (toll free), however $2.00 per ticket fee applies for phone orders.
Space Station 3D transports audiences to the International Space Station to experience life in space. Floating alongside the first men and women to inhabit the new station, audiences literally feel a part of the mission taking place 220 miles above Earth. Space Station 3D is the story of a unique partnership between 16 nations building a laboratory in outer space. Directed and filmed in space by the astronauts. Narration by Tom Cruise. (2002; 47 minutes).
Experience the legendary Imax film that millions have raved about for over 30 years. Watch the Earth drop away beneath you on an 1800s balloon ascent; rocket across the Arizona skies with the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels; soar on a hang glider off the coast of Hawaii; and blast off into space on a Saturn rocket. The incredible Imax 5-story screen and 20,000 watts of sound will take you on a journey few pilots have experienced. To Fly! is the Museum's first and most popular Imax film. (1976; 27 minutes).
Journey through the stars, constellations and celestial highlights
of the current night sky with a Museum staff member using the Albert Einstein Planetarium
projector.
FREE Admission
Please note: tickets available free at Planetarium box office. Tickets may be ordered by phone at 202-633-4629 or 1-877-932-4629 (toll free), however $2.00 per ticket fee applies for phone orders.
Walking on the Moon takes audiences to the surface of the Moon to walk alongside the extraordinary Apollo astronauts who have stepped upon its surface.
Newly released photographs, CGI renditions of the lunar landscape and rarely seen NASA footage
will immerse audiences in the life-changing experiences of these astronauts by showcasing what they saw, heard, felt, thought and did on the lunar surface. Produced and narrated by Academy Award® winner Tom Hanks. (45 min.)