Four hundred years ago, Galileo first used a telescope to study the skies. This year, the United Nations is honoring Galileo and four centuries of astronomers and astronomical milestones with the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. Join the Adler as we celebrate with special events, additional sky-watching tips online, and more!

The Adler recently unveiled two new mural-sized images of the spiral galaxy Messier 101 taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory. One image shows three striking full-color images that showcase the galaxy's features in the infrared light observed by Spitzer, the visible light observed by Hubble and the X-ray light observed by Chandra. These multi-wavelength views provide both stunning beauty and a wealth of scientific information not even dreamed of by Galileo.

The other image of Messier 101 combines the views from all three telescopes into one amazing composite. It's like seeing with your eyes, night vision goggles and X-ray vision all at once!

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of its invention, the Adler presents Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass May 22 through December 31, 2009.

The most comprehensive exhibition on this topic to date, Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass introduces visitors to the technology of telescopes and how they are used to gather information about our Universe. From the earliest looking glasses used by Galileo 400 years ago, to the Hubble Space Telescope and into the future with leading-edge technologies, this exhibition takes a look at how telescopes have changed our concept of the Universe and our place in it.

Featuring some of the world's most amazing artifacts, including one of the oldest surviving telescopes, the largest Civil War-era telescope, and the most ornate ivory telescope in the world, which has never been on public display, visitors will marvel at the extraordinary beauty and technology of these instruments. Interactives in the exhibition include looking through a 20-foot 17th century refractor, viewing a 3-D model of galaxies and learning how lenses and mirrors create the images we can see.

The Adler is proud to present this inspiring musical tour of the universe as one of our special contributions to the International Year of Astronomy, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first use of a telescope to explore the skies.

Visit the Universe Theater page for more info and show times.

Each month explore a new topic about understanding our universe. Our CyberSpace website will be updated each month with space science content and resources about each topic.

One of the best parts of Astronomy is that we can all participate in the viewing of our night sky. This year take some time to look up and observe. Each month a new observable object will be featured on our CyberSpace website. Adler's Night and Day podcast will also have some special features this year, highlighting observable objects and interviews with space experts.

The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is a project that will publish 1 podcast per day, 5 to 10 minutes in duration, for all 365 days of 2009. The podcast will be made available through an RSS feed.

The podcast episodes will be written, recorded and produced by people around the world. Each day will have a specific topic or theme based on The 365 Days of Astronomy Calendar, a daily calendar of astronomical events, themes and ideas created by the IYA. Although all the episodes will have a common intro and outtro that ties into the overall theme, each episode will be completely different.

Adler is participating with the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast series and producing 4 podcasts that will be released on a quarterly basis.

March 27th - Observing the Sky: Pre-telescope: Prior to the age of the telescope man still looked to the sky.  This podcast will explore the stories of the stars and how the night sky was observed in past cultures.

June 25th - Galileo's Telescope: In 1609 when Galileo Galilei had fine-tuned his new instrument and turned it toward the night sky he revolutionized modern science. How great of an impact has his invention had on modern science and how did his discoveries change the way that we look at the night sky?

September 25th - Modern Telescopes and Observation Techniques: From the Hubble Space Telescope to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, how are we looking at the night sky today?

December 25th - Star of Wonder

Check back for special events.