Dressed like an astronaut and holding her stuffed Elmo doll, 5-year-old Clare Dornan of Corona is in her element while looking at videos during Discovery Cube’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Her mother, Summer Dornan, says Clare already knows a lot about the solar system from watching educational TV and wants a job in the space industry when she grows up. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Robert Yee and his son, Nicholas, 8, of Fullerton, watch high-definition imagery from the James Webb Telescope during Discovery Cube’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 17, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Danitza Casallas provides a comfortable resting spot for son, Luke, 9, as they lie on the floor and take in all the visual treats at Discovery Cube’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 17, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Luke Brunold teaches about volcanoes during Discovery Cube’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on
Saturday, January 17, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Colorful videos including high-definition imagery from the James Webb Telescope, makes for an otherworldly experience at Discovery Cube’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 17, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children learn about wind at a hands-on table during Discovery Cube’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 17, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nadia Duval, 1, of Santa Ana finishes a coloring project at Discovery Cube Orange County’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 17, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dressed like an astronaut and holding her stuffed Elmo doll, 5-year-old Clare Dornan of Corona is in her element while looking at videos during Discovery Cube’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Her mother, Summer Dornan, says Clare already knows a lot about the solar system from watching educational TV and wants a job in the space industry when she grows up. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Discovery Cube Orange County presents Solar System Encounter, an exhibit through Feb. 12, featuring high-definition imagery from the James Webb Telescope, large inflatable planets, crafts, and lectures. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Joseph Madrid and his daughter Hannah, 2, of Newport Beach, cruise through Discovery Cube’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 17, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Discovery Cube Orange County presents Solar System Encounter, an exhibit through Feb. 12, featuring high-definition imagery from the James Webb Telescope, large inflatable planets, crafts, and lectures. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Discovery Cube Orange County presents Solar System Encounter, an exhibit through Feb. 12, featuring high-definition imagery from the James Webb Telescope, large inflatable planets, crafts, and lectures. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Dressed like an astronaut and holding her stuffed Elmo doll, 5-year-old Clare Dornan of Corona is in her element while looking at videos during Discovery Cube’s Solar System Encounter exhibit in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Her mother, Summer Dornan, says Clare already knows a lot about the solar system from watching educational TV and wants a job in the space industry when she grows up. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An out-of-this-world encounter has touched down at the Discovery Cube Orange County.
The children’s learning museum in Santa Ana opened its new Solar System Encounter on Saturday, an immersive look at Earth’s neighbors.
The exhibit combines ultra-high-definition images taken by the James Webb Telescope with giant models of the planets and suns. Helping young visitors with their journey through the cosmos will be presentations by Solar System Ambassadors on select dates, including today, Jan. 18. See online for other times.
The exhibit, which will remain at the Discovery Cube through Feb. 22, is included in general admission to the Discovery Cube. Find more information at discoverycube.org/orange-county.
