Space & Aviation

Explore Space & Aviation across the Smithsonian through stories, events, and exhibitions. Use the filters to browse by format, then bookmark events and exhibitions to keep track of what you want to visit or attend.

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Two images laid on top of a background of stars. A constellation is seen to the far right. Betelgeuse, the inset image in the middle, is located in the constellation Orion, on the right. New images hint at a small companion star, shown in the inset image on the left, orbiting the supergiant star.
The research team is mostly convinced by the data, but they want to capture additional observations in 2027 to confirm what they’ve found.
A black background depicting outer space with one large, bright star in the middle.
Today astronomers have announced that they caught a massive star’s death from the first explosive moment. The supernova may represent a new way for stars to end their lives.
Concept illustration of a modern rover on the surface of a rocky planet.
NASA is at the precipice of a new era of Mars exploration that will hopefully expand to a ubiquitous presence at the Red Planet and be achieved by partnerships that extend further than those that NASA has had in the past.
“Types of Invasion Air Operations” graphic shows flight from England into Frace with large arrows. Arrow patterns represent fighter, medium bomber, airborne, and strategic flight. For each, there are icons providing more detail of what they did. Airborne: paratroopers & gliders. Fighter: covering troops, escorting bombers, attacking resources. Medium bomber: communication systems, gun emplacements, marshalling yards. Strategic: factories & industries, marshalling yards, & costal installations.
D-Day was the largest single-day aerial operation in history. On June 6, 1944, the Allies invaded German-occupied France, landing on the beaches of Normandy, France.
Five adult white men stand at ease in front of a large airplane with a propeller in this fading black and white photograph. Three look at something out of frame to the left, two look at the camera. All are wearing light colored military casual apparel with at least the top button of their button up shirt open. You can sense heat and bright sun from the open buttons and the dark shadows on the picture.
Captain Joseph Foss shot down 26 Japanese aircraft defending Guadalcanal making him Amercia’s top ace. In the account that follows, learn about the Guadalcanal Campaign through his eyes.
See the five most aesthetic parts of the new "NSF Discovering Our Universe" gallery.
VLT images of Betelgeuse and its companion.
Astronomers have firm evidence that Betelgeuse, one of the most famous stars in the night sky, is not alone.
view of the night sky with a shooting star close to the tree line.
A nearly full moon may obscure the fireballs falling from the remains of two comets that passed through Earth’s orbit.