Discovery Center To Host Interactive NASA Exhibit
March 15, 2007, MURFREESBORO – Middle Tennessee residents will soon have the opportunity to step into the cosmos, thanks to cooperation from NASA, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon and the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring.
On April 10 and 11, NASA is bringing to the Discovery Center its Vision for Space Exploration Experience, an interactive traveling exhibit allowing visitors to slip the confines of Earth. Gordon coordinated the visit to Murfreesboro, which will be one of only three sites in Tennessee to host the exhibit.
The Experience uses holographic and 3D imagery to show "explorers" what it might be like to visit the surfaces of the moon, Mars and destinations beyond. Visitors can manipulate their environment and explore simulated lunar and Martian landscapes, as well as travel to one of Saturn's moons.
“I hope this interactive experience will inspire the next generation of explorers to think about the role they could play in the future of space exploration,” said Gordon, who chairs the House Committee on Science and Technology. “I am pleased to help bring the exhibit to Middle Tennessee.”
Tours of the exhibit for students and the public will be from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. There is no admission charge to tour the exhibit, which will be located outside the center at 502 Broad St. Touring the exhibit, which is wheelchair accessible, takes approximately 10 minutes. Up to 144 visitors can be accommodated per hour.
“The Space Exploration Experience will be a perfect complement to the educational and interactive exhibits already at the Discovery Center, as well as ones planned for the future,” said Rachel Anderson, Development and Communications Director for the Discovery Center. “We hope residents will take advantage of the opportunity to experience this unique NASA exhibit.”
NASA staffers will be on hand to answer questions and discuss some of the tens of thousands of technologies used on Earth as a result of years of space-based research and development. Visitors can learn how tomorrow's lifestyles will change as NASA develops advancements in power, computer technologies, communications, networking and robotics. Visitors also will see how other advanced technologies will increase safety and reliability of space transportation systems while also reducing costs.
The exhibit's visit to Murfreesboro is the end of a three-city tour of Tennessee, which will begin in Memphis on April 3. The exhibit will also visit Nashville April 6 and 7.
