Rose Center for Earth and
Space
By Kelly Enright
Nothing
can crush and ego like contemplating the immensity, vastness and
age of the solar system. And the newly opened Rose Center for
Earth and Space brings this feeling to fruition.
Although you won’t find any
aliens invading this new space center, you’ll find plenty of
scientific facts that are just as fascinating as little green
men. The brand new Hayden Planetarium houses the virtual reality
Space Show, while the Big Bang Theater takes visitors back to
the dawn of time for a multi-sensory theatrical recreation of
the universe. Leading out of the theater, is the Heilbrunn
Cosmic Pathway, which spirals beneath the planetarium, offering
a scaled down walk through 13 billion years of intergalactic
time. One step on this pathway equals 75 million years of cosmic
evolution, making humanity’s time on earth about the thickness
of a strand of hair.
The
ramp unwinds into the Cullman Hall of the Universe, an
innovative interactive display that brings astronomy down to
earth – literally and physically. Everything is hands-on,
spherical theaters bulge from the floor and text is written at
kids’ eye-level. The ultramodern chrome, white and glass
architecture lends a futuristic feel to the hall, and even the
black tiled floor sparkles with specks of silver, reminiscent of
the night sky.
The cavernous Gottesman Hall of
Planet Earth provides a contrast in atmosphere and a tour
beneath the surface of our home planet. This dimly lit
red-and-brown toned hall, complete with recreations of key rock
outcroppings, sea floors and volcanic sounds, makes visitors
feel as if they’re actually walking through the center
of the earth.
Despite
astronomical size of its subject manner, the exhibits at the
Rose Center bring the universe down size. Through interactivity
and modern design, this new addition to the American Museum of
Natural History makes for an unforgettable journey to the far
reaches of time and space.
The Rose Center and the American
Museum of Natural History are located on Central Park West at 79
Street. Call (212) 769-5100 to learn more.
The Museum is open every day
except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sunday through Thursday
10:00am to 5:45pm; Friday and Saturday 10:00am to 8:45pm.
