NASA's New Site Lets You Virtually Explore Space, DIY Slime, and Have Story Time With an Astronaut

From House Beautiful

The universe might be big, but now you can explore it all from home. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched NASA at Home, a free online hub chock full of resources that showcase NASA's discoveries and research from all over the world. This interactive portal doesn't just offer activities for the kids, but adults as well, in order to help keep the whole family busy and learning. Users will even have the opportunity to participate in projects that contribute to actual ongoing research.

Enter NASA at Home and you’ll find a bevy of videos, podcasts, and e-books of easily digestible and engaging content to help teach you about the world above (no stuffy textbook readings here!). NASA at Home also hosts a variety of do-it-yourself projects like making your own slime or colorful star cookies. For those who fancy a virtual field trip, head to the virtual and augmented reality tours section. You'll be able to go inside the Hubble Space Telescope’s Control Center (which celebrates 30 years this month), the International Space Station, and more.

My personal favorite feature of NASA at Home is the "Be a Scientist" section. Here, fellow earth dwellers can access the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 mission, which prompts users to search the realm beyond Neptune for new brown dwarfs and planets. There's also the Planet Hunters TESS mission, where users can help search for undiscovered worlds. In GLOBE Observer, users can help support climate research by helping scientists track changes in changes in clouds, water, plants, and other life.

The fun continues on NASA’s social channels. Every weekday, kids can tune into NASA's Instagram live at 4 P.M. EDT (1 p.m. PDT) for a special storytime from astronaut Christina Koch, who set the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. You can also tune into NASA TV to catch live streaming events. Today, NASA interns will be asking International Station Commander Chris Cassidy all their new burning questions. You can view the full schedule of NASA TV events here.

"We know people everywhere, especially students, are looking for ways to get out of the house without leaving their house," said Bettina Inclán, associate administrator for NASA's Office of Communications, in a press release. . "NASA has a way for them to look to the skies and see themselves in space with their feet planted safely on the ground, but their imaginations are free to explore everywhere we go."

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.

You Might Also Like

• 7 Secrets HomeGoods Employees Won't Tell You

• 19 Closet Organization Ideas You'll Want to Steal Immediately

• 15 Styling Tricks That Make A Small Living Room Seem Bigger Than It Is