Earth is a dynamic, living planet. Science tools and techniques help us recognize the forces shaping the world at our doorstep, prepare for new challenges caused by the elements, and address the mounting impact of our actions on the earth’s systems. Here you will have the opportunity to interpret current weather conditions and forecast tomorrow’s. You will investigate and recreate past environmental changes, experience the delicate interplay between human activity and the global environment, and observe Earth’s dynamic systems through vivid, interactive displays.

Earth Observatory

Sitting high on a pedestal, a 36" computer-driven globe displays images and animations of global phenomena.  At rest, the exhibit displays a sequence of animations and images on the globe. Visitors can change the display on the globe by using a touch screen.

Global information currently available includes:

• Snow cover, sea ice and surface temperatures
• Plants 'dancing' to the rhythms of the ocean
• Hot spot volcanoes
• Earthquake and volcanic activity over time

Content can be easily updated as new data becomes available.

Over The Long Run

A split core extracted from the ocean bottom is mounted horizontally against a large graphic panel. Rails above and  below the core guide a sliding, touch screen monitor containing speakers along the core's length. Two smaller casts of ice cores are also displayed with graphic interpretation.

Sliding the monitor along the ocean core’s length (laid left to right chronologically) visitors see a moderately magnified view of the sedimentary layers.

Discovering Connecticut's Past

Visitors will decipher clues to Connecticut’s past climates and inhabitants by examining specimens with the tools provided.

They can follow their own curiosity or place an RFID tagged specimen over a scanner to trigger brief coaching sessions and pose additional questions and challenges.

Hands-on activities will include:

• Comparing fossilized pollen spores to those of today in order to deduce seasonal patterns
• Analyzing growth rings from a local Connecticut tree to determine past climactic and other natural conditions

Dinosaur Fossil/Plate Tectonics

A nearly 700 pound rock containing “inverse” dinosaur footprints is included with this exhibit, where visitors can begin their exploration of geologic forces.  A graphics-based introduction to Plate Tectonics and a short animation of Connecticut’s formation provide the basis for the individual “episodes” spotlighted in the exhibit.

Driving Past

A central 50" plasma monitor rests above a touch screen interface. At the touch screen, visitors use a map to call up images and interpretation of Connecticut road cuts and landscapes on the large screen above.

Each vignette will tie into the three major “chapters” in Connecticut’s geological history: crunch, crack, and weather.