Weekend Events June 10-12: Cosmic Collisions, The Pony Express, Grand Canyon 3D

Friday, June 10 Faster Than a Speeding Comet

Beat the scorching D.C. heat this Friday by dipping into the National Air and Space Museum for a trip to the ever cool Albert Einstein Planetarium to see Cosmic Collisions. Delivered in a way that only the award-winning actor and the film’s narrator Robert Redford can, Collisions tells the story of a speeding comet that sets its impact sight for Earth’s atmosphere. The experience sends the senses sailing. The film takes visitors on a journey through time and space, past, present and future, showing how our solar system was created through colossal impacts and exciting explosions. Scientific visualizations, and ground breaking simulation and imaging technology pair with NASA photographs and illustrations for an out of this world experience. “Unique observations from space provide a revolutionary view of a dynamic cosmos,” said Richard Fisher, director of NASA’s Heliophysics Division. “From sun to Earth and moon and to the stars and galaxies beyond, the accurate visualizations in ‘Cosmic Collisions’ show these spectacles unfold in a concrete way that viewers have never before experienced.” Did you blink and miss even a second of the show? Never fear, there are seven shows daily, beginning at 11:00 AM. Tickets are $6.50 members, $9.00 adult (13-and up), $8.00 senior, and $7.50 youth (2-12 years old). Purchase tickets by phone (toll-free) 866-868-7774, at the box office and up to two weeks in advance online.

Saturday, June 11 Pony Express Family Day

Have you ever looked at a mail truck and wondered, how was mail delivered before Ford built the Model T? Well here’s an answer for you, on ponies! This Saturday come to the Postal Museum to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express in style. This original mail service carried messages by horseback riders in races to stations across the mountains, plains, and deserts of the western United States. Traveling at the rate of 250 miles a day the 80 riders and over 400 horses crisscrossed the U.S. in a race against time. So jump on their trail with tall tales, puppet shows, activities and more. This free family friendly celebration gets to a running start at 11:00 AM and hits the hay at 3:00 PM. Rustle up the kids and get on down to the Postal Museum Atrium.

Sunday, June 12 Hold On to Your Raft

Spice up your Sunday with a trip to the Johnson IMAX Theater in the Natural History Museum to see Grand Canyon Adventure 3D: River at Risk, but be prepared to take the ride of your life before entering your seat. On this virtual white water raft ride through the Grand Canyon, you will follow Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and anthropologist Wade Davis in an exhilarating new 3D IMAX adventure. Hold on to your seats as you experience the majesty, beauty and fragility of the Canyon.  Let the inspiration speak to you while you learn about the future of the Colorado River and how you can help save our planet’s supply of clean water. To learn more about the flick, read Jess Righthand’s ATM post. Tickets are $6.50 for members, $9 adults, $8 seniors and $7.50 children ages 2 to 12. Tickets can also be purchased online or toll-free 866-868-7774.

For a complete listing of Smithsonian events and exhibitions, visit the goSmithsonian Visitors Guide