Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (April 30, 2010) – NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex unveiled a new exhibit on April 22, 2010, Science On a Sphere, at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville. Science On a Sphere is a global display that takes visitors on a three-dimensional journey around the world and throughout the solar system via dynamic, animated images of the atmosphere, oceans and planets.
Imagine looking at Earth from space, witnessing a season of hurricanes moving across the Atlantic, watching commercial air traffic movements all across the planet, and examining changes in sea currents and temperatures across the globe. The sphere provides guests wit
h a representation of a view of the Earth and planets as if they were viewed from space.
h a representation of a view of the Earth and planets as if they were viewed from space.This engaging new exhibit at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame will allow students and the general public to examine the planets and moons of our solar system. Guests will be able to learn how space technology can aid in meteorological sciences such as hurricane prediction and global weather trends. The images are displayed onto the surface of a six-foot in diameter suspended sphere in a darkened room, and visitors can walk around the entire globe for a complete perspective of the phenomenon being viewed.
"This new instrument will enhance our ability to tell the NASA story, and help illustrate earth and space science to people of all ages, and improve our ability to deliver inspirational science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning," said Bill Moore, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Chief Operating Officer.
The system is pre-programmed with hundreds of data sets created by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA, and also includes several films, such as Footprints and Largest, that have been produced by NASA. Science On a Sphere is included with admission to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and the operating schedule will vary throughout the day. The Astronaut Hall of Fame is included with admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
The new Science On a Sphere exhibit at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is a collaboration between NASA Education and Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, operators of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
About Science On a Sphere®
Science On a Sphere is a room sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere, analogous to a giant animated globe. Researchers at the NOAA developed Science On a Sphere as an educational tool to help illustrate Earth science to people of all ages. Animated images of atmospheric storms, climate change, and ocean temperature can be shown on the sphere, which is used to explain what are sometimes complex environmental processes in a way that is simultaneously intuitive and captivating. For more information, visit http://sos.noaa.gov/.
About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens at 9 a.m. Closing times vary by season. The Visitor Complex is open daily except December 25 and certain launch days. Admission includes the Shuttle Launch Experience, Kennedy Space Center Tour, 3D IMAX® space films, Astronaut Encounter, all exhibits, and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, including the new Science On a Sphere®. Admission is $41 + tax for adults and $31 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Commander's Club Annual Pass is $53 + tax for adults and $43 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
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