To finish off our astronomy unit, the kids and I headed to the Pacific Science Center. We were so happy that M was able to take a day off work and come with us! (I think he made it a priority when I informed him I would be sending the three older kids into the planetarium alone-kids under 4 are not allowed.) We arrived at the science center in time to see the movie, but the ticket booth did not have our purchase order from the school and needed us to check in at a different gate. They were kind enough to let us in without payment so we wouldn't miss the IMAX film: Hubble 3D. From the science center website: "Through the power of IMAX 3D,
Hubble 3D will take you on a
journey through distant galaxies to explore the grandeur and mysteries
of our celestial surroundings, and accompany space-walking astronauts as
they attempt the most difficult and important tasks in NASA's history.
This film, one of the most popular ever screened at Pacific Science
Center, offers an inspiring and unique look into the Hubble Space
Telescope's legacy and highlights its profound impact on the way we view
the universe and ourselves."
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| Pillars of Creation: Nebula, Hubble Image |
I guess I should have known this was a 3D movie by the title, but I wasn't really thinking about it until they handed us the glasses. The movie had already started and the theater was pitch dark. We had to stand on the side until there was enough light in space for us to find seats.
The 3D effects were awesome. I loved watching the kids (all the kids in the theater, not just mine) try to reach for stars as we traveled through the universe. The absolute best part was the launching of the space shuttle Atlantis, which happened exactly three years ago today. The room shook with the noise of the engines and I felt like I was actually there (except I wasn't being burned to a crisp). I was completely awed at the experience and wished with my whole heart that I could have brought Grandad to see this before he passed away. He loved space and kept up with all the current events in space exploration with his numerous astronomy magazine subscriptions.
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| I've seen this called the God's Eye Nebula |
If you get a chance to visit the science center, go see this movie! There is no better way to peer in to God's majestic creation and experience that His ways are not our ways. He gave us these magnificent brains, complex enough to build the equipment necessary to survive trips into space, yet we still can't understand the whys and hows of little Planet Earth.
The rest of the day was fun too. We ate lunch outside (and watched our boys chase pigeons), played in the game exhibit (the boys finally got to play the big chess game), walked through the bug exhibit (D loved the giant motorized bugs, "Bye-bye bugs!"), saw the butterflies, and enjoyed the dinosaurs. The kids have been playing dinosaurs out in the dirt all week, so D called out, "Di-sor!" and wasn't scared at all. We got out of there before traffic and had an uneventful drive home. We can't wait to go back and see King Tut in the fall!
