Houston Musems June 2009




The summer lineup at Houston museums is geared toward providing a multi-sensory experience for visitors to any of the museum districts institutions. There are exhibits from around the globe that will delight your eyes, ears and give you something to talk about when you get home.

The Houston Museum of Natural Scinece

HMNS is home to a new IMAX adventure. It transports moviegoers to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, including Southern Australia, New Guinea and others in the Indo-Pacific region, allowing them to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. It offers a uniquely inspirational and entertaining way to explore the beauty and natural wonder of the oceans, as well as the impact of global climate change.

"Under the Sea," an IMAX film narrated by Jim Carrey, captures dazzling and sometimes poetic images of underwater ocean life. It was shot at great depths in exotic and isolated undersea locations, including Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

In IMAX 3D, the images will literally leap off the screen and float around the theatre, putting the audience in the movie.

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor

The Nature of Diamonds

Get an upclose and personal look at the minerals, described as “dazzling,” “cool,” “elegant,” “regal,” “unyielding,” “stylish” and “pure” in The Nature of Diamonds. The HMNS exhibit explores humanity’s fascination with diamonds and provides an in-depth look at diamonds. These unique minerals hold a special place in history, art, adornment, and uses in modern technology and research.

The special exhibition features dozens of breathtaking gems and jewels on loan from some of the world's best public and private collections, including the Arkansas diamond. Discovered on a farm near Searcy, Arkansas in 1926, this is the third largest diamond ever found in the United States

Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan achieved his victories through brilliant tactics, earning him a well-deserved reputation as a military genius,” said Dirk Van Tuerenhout, curator of anthropology of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Genghis Khan is credited with creating national parks, the postal system, international law and the borders of modern nations. His Empire was the safest and most tolerant of lands. We can trace hamburgers, skis, passports, charcoal and even pants to this renowned warrior.

This special exhibition presents a new image of the legendary leader. He developed a great number of improvements for the Mongol Nation. For instance, he built bridges and roads to help trade with other countries and created Mongolia’s first written language. Many of his innovations are still in use today.

It doesn't matter wether you drop in for the IMAX show are peruse the Diamond exhibition, you'll be enriched after your visit to any of the Houston Museums.