A new virtual reality astronomy experience from the Smithsonian debuted in Washington, DC, in May. The 40-minute tour takes visitors through stars, exoplanets, and observatories using an HTC Vive Focus 3 headset.
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience features a virtual tour guide voiced by James Seawood. Participants visit sites including the Pillars of Creation, the exoplanet Janssen, and the black hole Sagittarius A*.
The exhibit runs for 40 minutes and includes stops at NASA observatories such as Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope. Tickets for solo adults range from $29 to $35, with group rates starting at $18 per person.
Additional locations are planned for Denver, Orlando, and San Antonio later this year. The Washington exhibit will eventually switch to the newer HTC Vive Focus Vision headset.