Science on a Sphere
Description and Benefits:
Science on a Sphere is a 3 dimensional exhibit that allows you to project the earth's surface on a globe. Many different features of the earth and weather can be shown in this exhibit. Larger installations allow for the audience to actually walk around the sphere viewing the earth's surface from many angles.
This could be built into a round demonstration cove so more people could understand atmospheric research by having daily demonstrations to be given about past, current, and future weather trends. The demonstration can also be used as a collaborative tool to show how different areas of the government use weather data. The public can experience how the data is used in everyones lives from predicting global events to warning people about current weather emergencies. This could also be used by researchers for scientific discovery.
This exhibit tends to turn adults into children again making it's an effective way to share earth science with a tour group.
UCAR/NCAR's role:
Provide a suitable space within the new center or visitors center for this type of exhibit. Furnish the hardware and programming necessary.
External roles:
Possible collaboration with the University of Wyoming.
For More Information:
http://sos.noaa.gov
Fiske Planaterium
NASA - http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/exhibits/sphere.html
Maryland Science Center - http://www.mdsci.org/shows/scienceonasphere.html
Science Museum of Minnesota - http://www.smm.org/visit/sphere/
NY Times Review - http://video.on.nytimes.com/index.jsp?fr_story=50b384179ad89fb43c352fdea1255ef0e2364ee9
Search Phrases Used
science on sphere