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The Hong Kong Space Museum's latest 3D Omnimax show, "Hidden Universe 3D", to be screened from tomorrow (July 1) until December 31, will take audiences to the Atacama Desert in Chile, from which they can view the farthest corners of the mysterious universe through the most powerful telescopes ever built.
Since astronomers started using telescopes for observation four centuries ago, mankind has no longer been limited to merely viewing space through the naked eye. Astronomers today have large ground-based optical and radio telescopes on earth, orbiting space telescopes and even space probes in their arsenal for carrying out comprehensive studies of the universe. This is something that astronomers several hundred years ago could never have dreamt of.
In "Hidden Universe 3D", astronomers operate the world's most powerful optical telescope, the Very Large Telescope (VLT), and the ALMA radio telescope array to observe celestial bodies 4 billion times dimmer than those detectable by the human eye and to detect signals beyond visible light. Through viewing these deep space images of unprecedented clarity, audiences can explore the hidden side of the universe.
Even though such powerful telescopes are located in the Atacama Desert, one of the highest and driest places on the planet, a large number of astronomers including Dr Jonathan Whitmore, VLT operator Miss Lisa Tura and digital universe builder Dr Greg Poole have been attracted to start their journeys of exploration there.
In addition to using telescopes, people carrying out geomorphology studies use the Mars rover Curiosity, equipped with high-resolution cameras, to shoot high-definition stereo video in colour. Moreover, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter takes photos of the global landscape of Mars and maps the planet with extraordinary precision. Stunning astrophotographs from these sources can be seen in the film.
The 35-minute show will be screened daily at 2.40pm and 6.10pm at the museum's Stanley Ho Space Theatre. An additional show will be screened at 11.10am on Sundays and public holidays. The museum is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays).
Tickets are available at the Hong Kong Space Museum Box Office and at URBTIX for $24 (front stalls) and $32 (stalls). Full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities are eligible for a half-price concession. For further information about the film, please visit the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Space/Programs/3DShow/HiddenUniverse3D/e_HiddenUniverse3D.htm.
The Hong Kong Space Museum is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. For enquiries, please call 2721 0226.
Ends/Monday, June 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:56
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