How did the universe and the solar system evolve? What happens inside stars? How long will our sun and the Earth still exist?

The exhibition takes visitors on a voyage through space and time to the origins of the solar system. It allows insights into how, where and when matter emerged, which, ultimately, was the prerequisite for the evolution of the Earth and life on it.

A gigantic explosion – the Big Bang – 13.7 billion years ago led to the formation of elementary particles, then atoms, the basic components of matter. Ever since, the universe has been expanding. The first stars and galaxies emerged from compounded matter.

Meteorites are ancient messengers of the solar system, 4.5 to 4.6 billion years old. They witnessed the formation of our planets. Their composition allows researchers to draw conclusions on the history of our planetary system. The Museum für Naturkunde owns the largest collection of meteorites in Germany. It is the focus of major research activities at the Museum. The exhibition shows a selection of these valuable pieces.