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Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.
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Udvar-Hazy Center in VA
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Looking at Earth
Discover how views of our planet from above have helped us to better understand the Earth.
This exhibition is now closed.
Looking at Earth explores the technology of aerial and space observation and its many uses. The gallery displays aircraft and spacecraft and examples of the photographic and imaging devices used on them. Throughout the exhibition are countless images taken from above. Some are historic; others show scientific, military, or civil applications; others are simply beautiful. All allow us to examine the familiar from unfamiliar perspectives.
Highlights include a de Havilland DH-4, a World War I aircraft used for aerial observation and photography; a Lockheed U-2, designed for Cold War aerial surveillance; personal objects of Soviet-captured U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers; and several generations of weather satellites. A "What's New" section displays frequently updated images of current interest taken of our planet from space.
Location in Museum
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
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Related Topics:
Aircraft
Space
Spacecraft
Satellites
Reconnaissance
In This Exhibit
De Havilland DH-4
Object
Lockheed U-2C
Object
TIROS Meteorological Satellite
Object
ITOS Meteorological Satellite
Object
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