The Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater uses the giant-screen IMAX projection system. The screen measures 75-feet wide and 50-feet high; by comparison, your basic theater screen is about 30-by-20. Translation: The images are monstrous and the sound is earth-shaking. Watching the film of a Space Shuttle launch is about as close as you can get to actual lift-off without traveling to Florida.

Films are shown every day except Dec. 25.

-- Jen Chaney, Updated Oct. 5, 2007

Modifications: There is a closed-captioning system for the deaf or hard of hearing. An infrared headset for those who are blind or have low-vision describes the film during pauses in the regular narration. Foreign language translation is available for some films.
Disabled Access: An area can accommodate three wheelchairs per show. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are nearby in the museum.
>Reservations: Groups of 10 or more qualify for discounted rates. For more information, contact the group sales department at 866 868-7774 or group_tours@si.edu.
Advance Tickets: Tickets can be bought at the box office any time that day, ordered by phone (202-633-4629) or on the Web (www.si.edu/imax). Reservation fees apply to all phone and Internet purchases. Phone reservations are accepted every day (except Dec. 25) from 10AM to 5PM. Internet reservations are not available within 24 hours of showtime