The starry sky has captivated us since time immemorial. We explore planets, discover distant galaxies, and send telescopes into space. Always with the same question: What is our place in the universe? But experiencing space itself has so far been reserved for only a few astronauts. Until now.
Smithsonian’s “Worlds of Stars” is coming to the Immersive Center Donauturm in Vienna this fall (starting September 30) to transport you to the vastness of the cosmos. You won’t just see and hear the universe—you’ll feel it and be right in the middle of it. This is made possible by a multisensory virtual reality experience that uses scientific data to bring the cosmos to life in an immersive way. Developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory —the world’s largest museum, education, and research network—you’ll travel through space and time, past sparkling galaxies, the birth of new stars, and all the way to the edge of a black hole.
Tickets are now available! Book your journey through the cosmos now and save 20% with the early-bird discount—for a limited time only!
30 September 2026 10:00 + more dates
Here’s what awaits you at Smithsonian’s Star Worlds
Your journey begins at the Smithsonian’s Whipple Observatory under a sky full of constellations. From there, you’ll explore the mysteries of our galaxy using the most powerful space telescopes. Listen to the vibrations of the Sun and experience massive solar flares up to 30 times larger than Earth.
Next, you’ll travel to the distant exoplanet Janssen, also known as the Diamond Planet. There, you ’ll immerse yourself in an alien world of glowing lava, active volcanoes, and sparkling diamond structures . A look at this extreme exoplanet shows just how special conditions on Earth are: thanks to its location in the so-called Goldilocks Zone, it offers the ideal conditions for life.
Another fascinating moment awaits you at Betelgeuse: Witness the red supergiant explode in a massive supernova, hurling the building blocks for new stars and planets —and possibly even life—out into space.
Finally, you’ll venture to the edge of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, and watch as a star is swept up by its immense gravitational pull. In the process, a massive cloud of matter is ejected into space and spreads far across the galaxy.
Smithsonian’s Star Worlds combines solid science, gripping storytelling, and cutting-edge VR technology into an extraordinary journey through the cosmos. Based on verified data from NASA, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the ESA, iconic space images are transformed into three-dimensional worlds. You don’t just observe the universe—you dive right into its fascinating phenomena.
Get your tickets now and save 20%!
Smithsonian’s STARSTRUCK: An Immersive Journey Through the Cosmos
30 September 2026 10:00 + more dates
