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This is the closest you can get to looking at Earth from space without blasting off. Visit Science on a Sphere on the 3rd floor and:

  • Compare Earth's features to some of its close solar system neighbors.
  • Gain a deeper appreciation of Earth's most plentiful and precious resource—water—and how it shapes the world.
  • Observe the interaction between clouds, continents and oceans as you watch weather move around the globe in near real-time images.

Science on a Sphere is a projection technology that makes complex scientific data and concepts visible and understandable, offering the most accurate representation of the whole Earth.

Now Showing on Science on a Sphere

BLUE PLANET
Water shapes our planet and nearly every aspect of our lives. Blue Planet presents water as the driver of Earth's dynamic systems, the source of all life on the planet, and it underscores just how rare and precious Earth's fresh water resource is.

RETURN TO THE MOON
With the advent of the NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), humanity makes a return to the moon. NASA commemorates the mission and presents the value of future planned lunar expeditions in RETURN TO THE MOON.

FROZEN
FROZEN features the global Cryosphere, those places on Earth where the temperature doesn't generally rise above water's freezing point. FROZEN tells the story of a changing Earth from a unique and crucial perspective.

CORAL SCIENCE FROM OUTER SPACE TO INNER SPACE
A NOAA scientist shares his fascination with coral reefs. Enjoy this tour of Earth's coral reefs, from their beauty and breadth to their ecological importance and the many threats they are experiencing.

ENERGY PLANET
Consider the energy challenges facing our planet and how renewable energy technologies can help meet them. ENERGY PLANET provides an overview of the economic, security and climate challenges that fossil fuels create as the world's dominant energy source.

Science on a Sphere is the creation of the Global Systems Division, Earth System Research Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Major support for Science on a Sphere made possible by:

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