Welcome to the Universe
Exhibit [Return to listing page]
This exhibit introduces the exciting adventure of astronomical discovery through hands-on activities, 3-D models, computer activities, and historic artifacts. It is free to the public.
People have always searched for patterns in the sky. Here, you can learn about the history of stargazing, the constellations, the phases of the Moon, the changing seasons, and sundials. Experience the Moon phases as you sit with your head as the Earth, and a model of the Moon revolves around you. You can see how the Sun shines on the Moon to create the different phases.
To understand the size and scale of the universe, check out the hierarchical structure of the cosmos: our place on Earth, our place in the Milky Way, all the way to our place in the universe.
Get a feel for the planets' relative sizes and the vast distances between them by touring the Community Solar System, a scale model journey beginning at the 12-foot diameter Sun in this exhibit and ending at a pea-sized Pluto 9.3 miles away. Passports mapping the other planet locations are available in the exhibit and online (follow the document link below for a PDF).
Much of our knowledge about the universe comes from observations of light. Find out how astronomers use light to gather information such as the temperature and composition of far-away galaxies.
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