For centuries, humans have looked up at the night sky with curiosity and awe. We’ve mapped constellations, studied planets, and launched telescopes into orbit — all in pursuit of one question: where do we fit in the universe?
Unless you’re among the few who have traveled to space, the cosmos are out of reach. Until now.
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality adventure that doesn’t just show you the universe — it places you inside it. Launching in Chicago on October 1 and created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the experience takes visitors on a journey through the cosmos, from dazzling galaxies to the edge of a black hole. Sign up for the waitlist and be the first to know when tickets go live!
Experience the surreal beauty of standing inside the cosmos
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience transforms humanity’s most iconic two-dimensional images into a walkable, interactive universe.
Built from Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory data, this immersive adventure isn’t something you watch — but something you step inside. In immersive 3D, witness the birth of a star, stand inside a supernova, wander a distant diamond exoplanet, and step into Sagittarius A* — the black hole at the center of our galaxy. Explore, interact, and shape your own stellar journey.
Starstruck guides you deeper into the story of our universe and the scientific discoveries that revealed it. From ancient stargazing to modern astronomy, one thread connects us all: a shared curiosity and desire to understand our place among the stars.
Chicago is among the first four U.S. cities to experience the wonder of Starstruck. Tickets go on sale on September 10, and the free-roam experience opens to the public at the Fever Hub Chicago | Immersive & Gaming Experience Center on Thursday, October 1.
