Smithsonian Theaters
Smithsonian Theaters is an operating unit of Smithsonian Enterprises, the revenue-generating business division for the Smithsonian Institution, United States.
The unit operates three IMAX theaters and one Infiniti Digital Dome Planetarium, each presenting shows relevant to the museum in which it is located. The Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater is the flagship facility of Smithsonian Theaters, and is located on the first floor of the National Air and Space Museum National Mall Campus. It plays films related to aviation and space. The theater is host to lectures on topics spanning the purview of the museum. John Glenn hosts a lecture each year, and series by GE, Boeing, and others draw hundreds and sometimes thousands of attendees.
The Airbus IMAX Theater is located at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. This newest IMAX theatre plays content similar to her sister facility on the National Mall. Named for Airbus SAS due to a $6 million donation, the theater doesn't host as many events due to its location near Dulles International Airport (a 45-minute drive from the National Mall).
The Johnson IMAX Theater is located in the National Museum of Natural History on the National Mall, three blocks from the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater. The shows played at this theater are relevant to the content of the museum. The Johnson Theater hosts special showings throughout the evening hours. Special events in the museum often overflow into the theater, and as such, Johnson Theater is often used for corporate and large-group events.
The Albert Einstein Planetarium is located in the National Air and Space Museum, and presents movies to visitors in high definition on its Sky Vision Dual Projection Digital Dome System. The screen is on the ceiling, and the movie plays on all parts of the dome (360 degrees) throughout the show. Certain days of the week, there is a free admission show known as "The Stars Tonight" in which the traditional planetarium equipment is utilized to give visitors a sky watching experience in the museum.