NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

Beyond Planet Earth: The Future of Space Exploration offers a vision of the future of space travel as it boldly explores our next steps in our solar system and beyond. The exhibition takes visitors on humanity's journey to explore the next frontier, either ourselves or via robotic proxies, which have already traveled to every planet in our solar system. Future missions highlighted in Beyond Planet Earth, once limited to the realm of science fiction but today discussed by leading scientists and engineers, include building a space elevator on the surface of the Moon, deflecting a hazardous near-Earth asteroid, and traveling to Mars—perhaps even establishing colonies there.

"This year, marking the 50th anniversary of human space flight, is a particularly timely moment to celebrate the enduring curiosity that drives humans to find new ways to explore our universe," said Ellen V. Futter, president of the American Museum of Natural History. "

Beyond Planet Earth is an ambitious exhibition on the future of space travel, moving beyond a retrospective to create a forward-looking examination of our future in the cosmos guided by the latest research.

Before attending the exhibition, visitors can download a free augmented reality (AR) app for iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad created exclusively for Beyond Planet Earth. The app, Beyond Planet Earth Augmented Reality, can be used to activate 11 AR icons located throughout the exhibition, which unlocks animations and allows visitors to share images via email, Facebook, and Twitter in addition to accessing a special site with additional space-themed links. The icons and links can also be found on the Beyond Planet Earth section of amnh.org.

• Directions: Subway: B, C to 81st Street - Museum of Natural History