Featured Attractions
Mapping the Universe
Mapping the Universe is included in museum admission. Our Plan a Visit page has more visitor information.
November 9, 2007 - March 2, 2008
What are maps? Why chart the stars, Moon, and Universe? How are these maps used in science and everyday life? Mapping the Universe raises these questions through historic and contemporary views of the constellations, Moon, and cosmos. Combining science, philosophy, religion, and art, each map reveals the perspective and practical purpose of those who created it. Celestial charts and objects from the Adler's collections and contemporary cosmological maps will guide you to a richer understanding of the place of maps in the exploration of the Universe.
A full-color exhibition catalogue is available for purchase in the Adler's Online Infinity Shop.
October 18, 2007 - January 20, 2008
NASA's Spirit and Opportunity missions continue to find exciting evidence of past life on Mars, but few people know the long history of Martian exploration. In this Special Topics Exhibit, compare today's images of the red planet with 16th century diagrams charting the motions of Mars and 19th century maps depicting Martian canals.
January 12, 2008 - Mapping the Heavens: The Universe Revealed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey - Josh Frieman
February 7, 2008 - Behind the Scenes in the Space Visualization Laboratory - Adler Astronomers
In the Space Visualization Laboratory you can explore humankind's latest efforts in mapping the Universe. With the laboratory's immersive, stereoscopic and ultra-high resolution displays you can:
- Fly over a topographic map of Mars created by the Mars Orbiting Laser Altimeter on the Mars Global Surveyor Spacecraft.
- Explore the stars and constellations in a map created by the Hipparcos satellite.
- Travel through a 3D map of three-quarter of a million galaxies created by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.
- See how we can use galaxy clusters to map Dark Matter.
- Learn how a Chicago scientist is using exotic gamma ray bursts to map the low mass universe.
Visit the Space Visualization Laboratory page for more information.
Visit our Mapping the Universe Online Press Kit
Mapping the Universe and related programs are a part of the Festival of Maps: Chicago.