It's not exactly an alien invasion, but there's something of a Mars landing in TriBeCa.
Under several interconnected domes, just above Canal Street at Varick Street, a 3-day pop-up exhibit is offering visitors the chance to virtually "experience Mars."
We're in New York City today at the Experience Mars Astronaut Recruitment Center. Join us throughout the day for updates! #CountdownToMars pic.twitter.com/E8J1Pudy0Q
— Nat Geo Channel (@NatGeoChannel) October 26, 2016
The exhibit, organized by the National Geographic Channel's "MARS," a new show about what it might be like to send the first humans to the red planet in 2033 — is set up like a recruitment center for astronauts hoping to join the space mission.
Visitors can pop on a virtual reality headset and take a ride on a simulator that lets them experience the sensation of landing on Mars. While suited up with VR headsets, you can also take a walk on the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill, which lets you feel what strolling on Mars — which has 38 percent less gravity than Earth — might be like.
What a virtual reality Mars landing simulator robot looks like in action. (Come try it if you're in NYC) #CountdownToMars pic.twitter.com/iiJEMpZjWA
— Nat Geo Channel (@NatGeoChannel) October 26, 2016
The "recruitment center" also lets visitors test how tough it might be to actual work to colonize Mars, under some Mars-like conditions. The exhibit runs from noon to 7 p.m. through Saturday.
The show "MARS" will premiere on Nov. 14 — but you can stream the first episode now.
