Houston Boston, we have a new exhibition in town. If you have ever been curious about our neighbor in outer space, this experience was written in the stars for you. Blast off to the Museum of Science to explore the Mars Spotlight, which highlights what scientists have discovered from traveling to the Red Planet with a full-scale model of NASA's Perseverance Rover, a larger- than -life Mars spinning around, and lots of lessons from scientists and other STEM professionals.

No spaceship is needed to land on Mars with the new Martian territory ready to explore inside the Museum of Science. Head over to the Blue Wing of the local museum to immerse yourself in the Red Planet.

What we tried:

There is a variety of on-site exhibits + live presentations, virtual learning experiences, and in-classroom activities, so everyone will moonwalk away inspired. While the planet might be light years away, the lessons learned from recent exploration have landed us closer than ever to taking the next big step for space travelers.

What not to miss:

There's a whole new world to explore inside the museum and from home with the Mission: Mars on Roblox experience. The simulation game puts you in the shoes of an astronaut to decide how to complete your mission on the Red Planet as you face challenges like the unexplored terrain + tough atmosphere.

Pro tip: Before your visit, don't forget to check out the schedule of Planetarium shows and add on the additional tickets. The ~35-minute "Destination Mars: The New Frontier" show will give you a front-row seat to what life in space is like and what scientists have discovered on the Red Planet.

Learn more about how we got to Mars with the full-scale Perseverance Rover at the Museum of Science. | Photo by BOStoday

What we’re still talking about:

You don't need a telescope to get up close and personal to a real-life NASA rover. In the new AI exhibit, you can see a full-scale model of the Perseverance Rover that journeyed to Mars alongside some local AI technology you might recognize. Think: Boston Dynamics robot dog. There are dozens of examples of AI technologies to learn more about.

How you can experience this:

The exhibit is now open and waiting for you to explore. Prepare for your mission by checking out these out-of-this-world resources, including podcasts, educational files, newsletters, and more.

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Mission: Mars exhibit at the Museum of Science
Price: $25-$29 for general admission. Planetarium, Omni, or 4D Theater shows are available for an additional fee.
Website: https://www.mos.org/mars
Address: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Social: Facebook | Instagram*