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To create his mesmerizing images of space, Michael Benson takes data from interplanetary probes by NASA and the European Space Agency, digitally enhances them, and spins them into photographs. It’s hard to know how much Benson is juicing his raw material, but the resulting images are so hypnotic that it’s easy not to care. The unexpected stars of the show are moons you may never have heard of: Saturn’s Mimas and Tethys breezily floating in front of the much larger planet and Jupiter’s Io with its ugly, pitted, rotten-fruit surface (shown). Then there’s the understated “Sunset on Mars,” in which the sun sets behind the rim of a crater, casting a blue glow made gloomier still by atmospheric dust—a fitting requiem for an exhibit with impressively expansive horizons. Read more >>> “Planetfall” is on view Mondays to Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to June 28 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York Ave. NW. Free. (202) 326-6400. aaas.org. (Louis Jacobson)
EAT THIS
South American grill Del Campo, the first restaurant from chef Victor Albisu, opens today in Chinatown. The meat-centric menu includes a rotating selection of grilled meats as well as crudos, ceviches, and sweet and savory empanadas. The bar menu focuses on South American street food like a chivito sandwich and grilled skewered meats. Check out the full menu here. Del Campo, 777 I St. NW. (202) 289-7377. delcampo.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
Happy Earth Day! Celebrate with a series of hands-on activities, talks, and tours at the Anacostia Community Museum, all of which are related to their current exhibit, “Reclaiming the Edge: Urban Waterways and Civic Engagement.” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE. Free.
As part of Pink Line Project’s Salon Contra series, performance artist Kathryn Cornelius discusses her current projects, “Let’s Not Ever Be Strangers Again” and “Take All The Time You Need,” with Lauren Schell Dickens, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Corcoran tonight. For more information and to RSVP, email info@pinklineproject.com. 6:30 p.m. at Pink Line Project HQ. Free.
Washington Ballet Artistic Director Septime Webber and former Yale literature professor William Lilley converse about Ernest Hemingway and how the author’s work translates to the stage in preparation for the ballet company’s upcoming performance of The Sun Also Rises. 6:30 p.m. at England Studio Theater, 3515 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Free.
Stoner-rock forerunners Fu Manchu play their landmark album, The Action is Go, in its entirety tonight at the Black Cat. Bloodnstuff and Borracho also perform. 8 p.m. at the Black Cat Backstage, 1811 14th St. NW. $15.
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