The Digital Universe is the world's most extensive and accurate 3D atlas of the universe. The interactive database combines the latest astronomical data provided by scientists from around the globe. Developed at the American Museum of Natural History and Hayden Planetarium in conjunction with NASA, the vast database includes stars, star clusters, star-forming regions, multi-wavelength views of the Milky Way, and the latest galaxy and quasar surveys, to name a few. In this vast atlas, these elements are combined to bring you a view of the observable universe, conveying the size and structure of our galaxy and the cosmic web of galaxies that surround us.

The Digital Universe includes a comprehensive User's Guide and sup- plementary training materials consisting of flight paths and accompa- nying audio narrated by experts from the Hayden Planetarium and AMNH's Rose Center for Earth and Space. These training sessions demonstrate many of the underlying scientific concepts in our galaxy and the cosmos while taking you on an unparalleled journey from the Sun out to the edge of the observable universe.

Portions of the Digital Universe are available on the World Wide Web at haydenplanetarium.org/universe, where you will find the "home version" of the atlas and the Digital Universe Discussion Group.

The American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's pre- eminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to explore and interpret human cultures and the natural world through a wide-reaching program of scientific research, education, and exhibitions. With a scientific staff of more than 200, the Museum supports research divisions in Anthropology, Paleontology, Inver- tebrate and Vertebrate Zoology, and the Physical Sciences.

The Museum's Department of Astrophysics conducts an ambitious research program, providing scientific expertise to support the education and outreach activities of the Rose Center for Earth and Space and conveying the excitement of modern astronomy to the public.  The department's active research specialties cover a wide range of modern astrophysics including observational, theoretical, and computational astrophysics.

Museum scientists use all the tools available to modern astro- physicists, including ground and space-based telescopes, super- computers, and visualization tools. Active research collaborations exist between Museum department members and faculty at Princeton University, Columbia University, and other major research universities.