It's been nearly two weeks since our visit to the Milwaukee Public Museum, and as much as I loved exploring the three levels of exhibits there, it's the second part of our trip that has really stuck with me.
That afternoon after our tour of the museum, we took in a show at the new Daniel M. Soref Planetarium, which is within the IMAX Theater.
A day hasn't gone by since then that I haven't at least briefly thought about what we saw, and I don't think I'll ever look up into the sky the same way again.
Sure, I learned about the universe in my science books year after year in school, but seeing "Wonders of the Universe" at the IMAX made me really see and understand it better in 40 minutes than any of those science books ever could.
Dave and I were seated in the dark theater, waiting for the show to start, when suddenly we were surrounded by sky. A giant sloping screen rose up toward us, over our heads and behind us, and on either side, too. It was the sky at dusk, which slowly faded to night, and I could have sworn we were in a field in the middle of the country somewhere, staring up at the stars.
For 20 minutes the female guide took us on a tour of our solar system, pointing out planets and constellations, explaining where the Earth lies in relation to the other planets and stars.
As we took a highly sped-up tour of our galaxy, the Milky Way, our point of view shifted and it felt as though we were in a giant bubble of a space ship, sailing among the stars.
The second part of the show was the "Wonders of the Universe" part which illustrated the history of the universe, from the first colliding of particles until today.
This part showed just how big the universe – how far infinity – really is. Our planet and the other planets in our solar system, as well as our sun and moon and stars, make up just ONE little galaxy, one among MILLIONS of other galaxies.
To see how tiny and insignificant the Earth is in the whole scheme of the universe is simply mind-boggling. It brings up all kinds of questions in one's mind, like why in the world would we think we're the only tiny little dot out there with life on it? And is God the god of the entire universe or just of Earth – or what?
The show was unbelievable. It gave me a perspective like I've never had before, and it's an experience that will certainly stay with me.
And you know, I complain a lot lately about how there are no good movies out in the theaters, but never do I stop to consider checking to see what's playing at the IMAX or the planetarium. That's going to change, though! The show we saw was educational, romantic, entertaining and awe-inspiring all at once. Not many movies can make such a claim!
Thinking about how huge the universe is and how it literally goes on for infinity, makes my head hurt. I am not kidding. It actually hurts my head to think that is the truth. I would love to check out the planetarium...thanks for the info...
Posted by: kelly | April 05, 2007 at 11:22 AM
I can practically feel the perception of magic in this entry. I wholeheartedly agree with you: I visited the Gates Planetarium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science last autumn, and walked away with a whole new way of viewing the universe burned into my brain.
Few things these days seem to have that wow factor, but a planetarium that's run by some of the most fertile minds in astronomy seems to slice through the hohum murk.
No planetariums in my burg, sadly. But there IS one a couple of hours away. Time to plan a road trip.
Posted by: Carmi | April 08, 2007 at 07:53 AM