Smithsonian Opens Ocean Hall
The Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. has opened the Sant Ocean Hall. The 49 million dollar project marks the biggest renovation in museum history, and could there be a better reason for it. The hall has many impressive features that include a full-size whale model, many marine specimens including a perserved adult coelacanth and its pup, and even 1,500 gollan Indo-Pacific coral reef aquarium.
Here is a list of highlights also be exhibited in the 23,000 square foot ocean themed hall as given by the Associated Press :
"Ocean Odyssey," a film by underwater cinematographer Feodor Pitcairn, which wraps the walls above the exhibit space.
"Journey through Time," looking at the past with fossils of ancient organisms, some more than 500 million years old.
"Deep Ocean Explorers," a video that follows a dive through the zones of the open ocean to the deep bottom aboard the submersible, Alvin.
"Living on an Ocean Planet" traces the connection between the ocean and daily life.
"Human Connection," a series of 30 stories told throughout the hall, highlighting the relationship between humans and the ocean.
"Science on a Sphere," a room-sized, 360-degree global display system, developed by NOAA, displaying information on what the ocean produces, how it changes and how it interacts with the atmosphere to moderate our climate.
"The Ocean as a Laboratory," developed with the History Channel, a series of audiovisual stories and supplemental photo essays that introduces the work of marine scientists around the world.
