AI Portrait
Experience highlights The experience

Bask in the Sun
Take a quick detour to the Sun to witness solar flares 30 times larger than Earth. Hear the Sun's vibrations. Feel the energy that powers all life on our planet, captured directly from NASA's Parker Solar Probe, the satellite responsible for making the closest-ever pass to the Sun and still operational today.

Witness a Spectacular Explosion
Watch a red supergiant star called Betelgeuse erupt in a supernova, its dying blast recycling star stuff into cosmic building blocks — the raw material for stars, planets, and maybe life.

Stand on the Shoulders of Giants
Witness the cosmos through the eyes of the world's most powerful telescopes in an experience built from real scientific data. Step onto the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory as they reveal the universe's greatest mysteries.
Gallery Witness the universe in motion
On the day How it works

Check In
Please arrive 15 minutes early. Our team fits your wireless VR headset, provides accessibility accommodations, and answers any last-minute questions before launch.

Meet Your Crew
Explore with up to six guests as Astro, your virtual guide, leads the way through the cosmos. Each guest appears as a glowing avatar with a name label, making it easy to stay together throughout the adventure.

Explore the Universe
Your movements become part of the adventure. Pick up objects, activate controls, and interact with your surroundings as the mission unfolds around you.
Reviews What our guests say
4.9/5
based on 38 reviews
Mahin I.
oct 2026
Most amazing experience I’ve had with VR
Lisa H.
oct 2026
It was incredible and would be difficult to describe the experience. You just have to see it for yourself!
Danielle T.
oct 2026
My son and I loved it!
John K.
oct 2026
Great experience and great staff
Linda U.
oct 2026
Very impressive experience!
Guillermo S.
oct 2026
Awesome!!!
In short What to expect
Starstruck is a 40-minute, shared virtual reality experience developed with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Groups of up to six guests wear lightweight, wireless headsets and move freely through a fully three-dimensional digital universe — guided by a virtual host named Astro, from the Whipple Observatory to distant stars, exoplanets, the Pillars of Creation, and a black hole. Visuals and narratives are informed by real data from NASA, ESA, Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory and Smithsonian research.
About the venueGermania Place
Address
108 West Germania Place, Chicago, 60610
Parking
There is paid street parking available nearby on N. Clark Street, in the James-Kilmer garage at 1560 N Sandburg Terrace, or at one of the other garages within 3-minutes walking distance of the venue.
Accessibility
Yes, the event is held in an accessible venue and includes accessible entrances and exits, restrooms, point of sales, seating areas, and accessible routes throughout the space.
FAQs Got questions? We've got answers
Do I need to print my ticket?
Can I change the date of my ticket?
Can I transfer my tickets to another person?
Is there parking available?
How long does the experience last?
Will food and beverage be available on site for purchase?
When should I arrive for my scheduled session?
What is the recommended age for children to attend?
Is the venue accessible?
Is there a dress code?
Can virtual reality be uncomfortable or unsuitable for some guests?
Can guests with heart conditions or epilepsy participate?
Links of interest
Need help?
Contact Support here.
Select date and session
Select date and session
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