Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience Manchester - 10% off

Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience Manchester for less

Unlock 10% off Smithsonian Starstruck with Kids Pass and take a family journey through the universe in immersive virtual reality — all from just £1 for 30 days.

Beginning at the Smithsonian’s Whipple Observatory, Starstruck launches visitors into space aboard some of the world’s most powerful telescopes. Families can explore stars, exoplanets, supernovas and black holes using real astronomical data transformed into a fully interactive 3D experience.

From hearing the Sun’s vibrations and witnessing enormous solar flares to standing on an exoplanet where volcanoes erupt and diamonds glitter beneath the surface, it’s a brilliant experience for curious children, teens and grown-ups who love space and science.

Included in the offer

• 40-minute immersive VR experience
• Explore stars, planets and black holes

Why families love Smithsonian Starstruck

Starstruck makes complex space science feel exciting and easy to explore. Families can move freely through a shared virtual universe, interact with the experience and discover how powerful telescopes help scientists understand the cosmos.

Families can also experience:

• The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
• Hubble, James Webb and Chandra telescope science
• Solar flares larger than Earth
• Exoplanets and distant stars
• The Pillars of Creation
• A supernova explosion
• A journey towards a supermassive black hole

Smithsonian Starstruck is a shared, free-roaming VR experience developed with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Groups of up to six guests wear wireless VR headsets and move through a fully three-dimensional digital universe guided by a virtual host called Astro.

The experience uses real scientific data and imagery from organisations and observatories including NASA, ESA, Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory.

Plan your visit

Smithsonian Starstruck takes place at Transmission House, 11 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1AF.

The full visit takes around one hour, including approximately 40 minutes in VR, plus time for check-in, orientation and headset fitting.

By train: Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria stations are both around a 10-minute walk from the venue.

By tram: Market Street tram stop is approximately a 1–2 minute walk away.

Parking: There is no private on-site parking, but Manchester Northern Quarter Car Park is located next to the venue.

Good to know before you go

Best for: Families who enjoy space, science, technology, VR and educational experiences

Age guidance: Ages 10+

Children: Visitors aged 10–17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Duration: Around 40 minutes in VR; allow around one hour overall.

Group size: Up to six guests can enter together, with larger groups staggered.

Helpful family tip: Wear comfortable clothes and suitable shoes, and avoid hats or caps because you’ll be wearing a VR headset.