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.

516 results
Artist's rendering of the innermost regions around the supermassive black hole in the active galaxy MCG-6-30-15.
The first results on the iconic active galactic nucleus MCG–6-30-15 captured with the XRISM mission show the most precise signatures yet of its supermassive black hole’s extreme gravity and the outflows that shape its galaxy.
An app interface showing multiple views of the sun during a solar eclipse.
Harvard & Smithsonian has launched a new interactive web app for use during the August 12 total solar eclipse.
Picture of HD 61005
For the first time, a much younger version of the Sun has been caught red-handed blowing bubbles in the galaxy, by astronomers using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.
An artist's impression of a superluminous supernova and an associated gamma-ray burst being driven by a rapidly spinning neutron star.
New semi-automated system demonstrates how the radio interferometer quickly responds to discoveries from space-based telescopes.
A dark space image showing the dark side of a planet with a haze of white atmosphere around it, with its star and another, smaller planet in silhouette in the background.
In a major milestone in the search for life on other planets, astronomers have detected, for the first time, an atmosphere surrounding an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting within the habitable zone of another star.
A large, clear, rectangle-shape display case is filled with numerous artifacts, including space-theme games, toys, T-shirts, and license plates. In front of the case is a panel printed with captions, including this question: Why go to space? Digital renderings of a woman, child, and man are seen looking at and pointing to the display case.
The Futures in Space explores the potential near- and long-term futures that may emerge with advances in space exploration technology and enterprise. The gallery features developing technologies that bring down the cost of space, aim to . Shortened snippet. View full page for more details.
Location
National Air and Space Museum
– Ongoing
Front facing photograph of the Pioneers of Flight exhibit with a large plane suspended from the ceiling and a large compass in tile on the floor
In the 1920s and 30s, aviation pioneers pushed boundaries and blazed new trails in the air. The Pioneers of Flight celebrates this pivotal era of aviation with a vibrant space that features iconic aircraft, personal stories that build . Shortened snippet. View full page for more details.
Location
National Air and Space Museum
– Ongoing
Photograph of a museum exhibit with one small white airplane suspended from the ceiling to the left and many display boxes related to the environment.
Aerospace and Our Changing Environment focuses on how aerospace innovations help us understand climate change while providing new technologies to respond to the challenge. Aerospace and Our Changing Environment aims to explore both the science . Shortened snippet. View full page for more details.
Location
National Air and Space Museum
– Ongoing