Drift through the cosmos at London's Science Museum this summer holiday
Smithsonian Starstruck is a new immersive space experience now open at the Science Museum London - perfect for families with older children and teens this summer15:33, 10 Jul 2026This article contains. . .
Smithsonian Starstruck is a new immersive space experience now open at the Science Museum London - perfect for families with older children and teens this summer15:33, 10 Jul 2026This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreSpace enthusiasts, prepare for lift-off. The Science Museum in London has launched an extraordinary new immersive cosmic adventure - and it's perfectly timed for the summer break. NamedThe Smithsonian Starstruck, this attraction provides a unique and captivating journey for stargazers and tech lovers. The free-roaming, hands-on exploration allows visitors to "witness the birth and death of stars," before travelling across distant galaxies and even coming face-to-face with a black hole. Running for more than 40 minutes,the experienceis recommended for ages ten and above, making it an excellent option for keeping budding astronomers occupied during the six-week school break. Equally appealing to grown-ups looking for an engaging activity, it's well-suited to families with older youngsters and teenagers. Thisimmersive cosmic journeyhas been created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), where the experience begins. Here, a celestial guide (called Astro) will transport guests into "deep space" through some of the world's most famous telescopes; Hubble, JWST, and Chandra. Utilising state-of-the-art 3D virtual reality equipment, guests can "drift through" the universe, gliding past "thousands of galaxies" throughout their voyage, all delivered by events organiser Fever. This attractiondiffers significantly from many other experiencescurrently available throughout the country, according tothe Express. Discover moreThe Smithsonian Starstruck, offers a distinctive and thrilling voyage for astronomy enthusiasts and technology fans alike. Visitors can also gain admission to theParadox Museumat present, giving children the chance to be amazed by mind-boggling visuals and audio displays in Knightsbridge. Another option is theLuminiscence experience, where guests will step into a 360-degree projection concert at Westminster Cathedral in London. Featuring a voiceover from Hugh Bonneville, this orchestral spectacular promises to transport audiences into what appears to be an alternate realm. Meanwhile,Smithsonian Starstrucktakes participants on a voyage to faraway celestial bodies. This naturally includes our own galaxy, the Milky Way, before zooming towards our Sun, where participants can "listen to its vibrations. " Those taking part in the adventure can also explore an exoplanet where "volcanoes erupt and diamonds glitter beneath the surface" – and that's before witnessing a supernova transform stars into new ones, alongside planets. In total, the immersive attraction promises to place guests at the centre of humanity's journey of exploration. Organisers explain that it will illustrate that "humans are not just observers of the cosmos, but part of it". "Smithsonian Starstruck reflects years of thoughtful collaboration across the Smithsonian," said Denise Elliott, Acting President of Smithsonian Enterprises. "By working closely with SAO and Fever, we're extending Smithsonian science and storytelling into an immersive format that reaches new audiences while supporting our mission. "Randall Smith, Associate Director for Science at the Center for Astrophysics at SAO, added: "This project demonstrates how immersive experiences can make complex scientific ideas more tangible and engaging. "It's exciting to see astronomical data translated into an experience that encourages curiosity and exploration. "Whether one's passion for the cosmos was sparked by Brian Cox or Mr Spock, Smithsonian Starstruck promises to be an extraordinary experience, housed within one of Britain's most impressive buildings – and it's open to the public now. Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experienceis presently running at the Science Museum in South Kensington, London. Though only recently launched, enthusiastic reviews have already started flooding in. Alistair remarked: "Excellent show. Really informative. "Article continues belowMartin agreed: "Spectacular, and unexpectedly educational!" While the experience itself has yet to receive any criticism, some attendees have voiced concerns about the Science Museum more broadly. In an extensive review, TripAdvisor user Will observed: "It appears they have had a huge layout change but as such seem to have lost half the artefacts they used to have. "Despite this criticism, Claire enthused: "We loved it, my son whom is a wheelchair user and first time participants loved the immersive experience. The staff were great. Thanks for another beautiful experience that we will treasure. "