LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 24, 2012) - The Museum of Discovery is set to unveil its latest traveling exhibit April 28 titled "Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss" revealing some of the ocean floor's mystique, and how science plays an integral role in defining it.
This 3,000 square foot interactive exhibit is designed to engage museum visitors through hands-on exploration and discovery, submerging them into the deep undersea world.
Extreme Deep depicts the mysteries of the ocean's greatest depths. Newly discovered life forms, thermal vents, close-up views of deep-sea research submersibles as well as shipwrecks including the Titanic, are among the attractions in this deep-sea adventure.
Museum goers will observe firsthand the technology that only recently has allowed men and women to travel to the ocean floor.
"People have long been fascinated with the ocean and what lies beneath," said Nan Selz, executive director for the Museum of Discovery. "This interactive exhibit embodies our focus - creating a passion and an understanding for science and technology through discovery."
Extreme Deep puts the technology necessary for deep-sea exploration in the hands of museum guests. Visitors join fellow explorers in an interior replica of the submersible Alvin's personnel sphere, which they can operate to simulate a dive to depths of up to three miles.
They can fly a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) over a model of the Titanic's deck. They can also test their skill at manipulating Alvin's robotic arm by picking up lava rocks and clams from the seafloor while peering through a re-creation of Alvin's four-inch viewport window.
Patrons will see how currents created by superheated water erupting from the vents carry vital nutrients, which support life forms that few have ever dreamed existed. Among the more than 500 newly discovered species are five-feet long tubeworms with bright red heads rich in hemoglobin, "squat lobsters" and giant white clams the size of dinner plates.
Extreme Deep, designed for ages six and older, introduces biology, chemistry, geology, history, exploration and the critical role that technology plays in understanding our world and its future.
The exhibit opens to the public Saturday, April 28 and runs through July 29. Museum of Discovery's hours of operation are Tuesday - Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm; Sunday: 1-5 pm; Closed Monday except for major holidays. Admission is $10 adults; $8 ages 1-12; free under 1; members free.
(Source: Museum of Discovery)