Press Release/ Photo-Op
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cameron Moore
954.713.0904
cmoore@mods.net
Great Balls of Fire: Comets, Asteroids and Meteors Exhibit
Opens One Week Early on September 25, 2015 at Museum of Discovery and Science
- Official Ribbon Cutting on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 11 a.m. Fort Lauderdale, FL, September 22, 2015 - The Museum of Discovery and Science will open
a new exhibit, Great Balls of Fire: Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors, on Friday, September 25,
2015 at 11 a.m. Great Balls of Fire explores the mysteries of these celestial objects. The threat of
a catastrophic impact from an asteroid or comet is a staple of popular culture. If there was a
dinosaur killer in Earth’s past, is there a human killer in our future? What are the chances and
how do we assess the risks? These and many other questions are answered in Great Balls of Fire.
The exhibition is divided into four areas: Origins, Asteroids, Comets, and Impacts. From the
Space Science Institute, this exhibit includes a variety of interactive, multimedia experiences,
ranging from straightforward computer-based activities to a larger scale, “pod” where visitors
play the role of “explorers-in-training” – an important theme that threads throughout the exhibit.
This interactive exhibit takes visitors on an astronomical adventure to climb into a “spaceship”
and blast off to the asteroid belt and Jupiter on a mission to gather data about asteroids and
comets. Navigate through a display of art and artifacts that tell the story of comet observations
throughout human history. Learn the size of the average rock in a meteor shower event (it’s
smaller than you think!). See what would happen if asteroids or comets of various sizes hit your
hometown. Guests will also use a variety of tests (magnetism, color, density/relative weight) to
detect if a rock is a meteorite (or a meteor-wrong) and determine if clips from Hollywood films
are Science Fact or Science Fiction. Explorers can end their expedition by creating their own
solar system, including asteroid belts and comets.
Add to your out-of-this-world adventure through the power of IMAX 3D with two spectacular
space themed films: HUBBLE 3D enables moviegoers to journey through distant galaxies to
explore the grandeur and mysteries of our celestial surroundings, and accompany space-walking
astronauts as they attempt some of the most difficult and important tasks in NASA’s history. The
film, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, offers an inspiring and unique look into the Hubble Space
Telescope’s legacy and highlights its profound impact on the way we view the universe and
ourselves.
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Great Balls of Fire Exhibit
September 22, 2015, page 2
SPACE STATION 3D is the story of the greatest engineering feat since landing a man on the
moon – the construction of the International Space Station. The global collaborative mission
unites 16 nations with a common goal to further human space exploration. Narrated by multiAcademy Award® nominee Tom Cruise, SPACE STATION 3D transports audiences 220 miles
above Earth to experience life in space. As audiences blast off, they are joined by the astronauts
and cosmonauts who directed and filmed their in-orbit assembly of the International Space
Station.
PLANETARIUM SHOWS October 23, 24, 25 and November 27, 28, 29, 2015
1:30 p.m. Star Stories
Learn about stars, the distance between heavenly bodies, star brightness and how to use star
constellations as a guide.
3:30 p.m. The Search for Life in the Universe
Take a look forward from the big bang, in search of those special places that might harbor life,
including all of the planets in our solar system.
This exhibit and the IMAX space films and related programs are supported by a grant from the
John H. Rau Space Education Fund of Community Foundation of Broward for Beyond the
Kármán Line: A Comprehensive Learning Initiative in Space Science. The Space Science
Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning, with funding from the National Science
Foundation and NASA, developed the Great Balls of Fire national traveling exhibition.
ABOUT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BROWARD
The Community Foundation of Broward helps families, individuals, and corporations create
personalized charitable Funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. Founded in
1984, the Community Foundation provides leadership on community solutions, and fosters
philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter. With more than 450
charitable Funds representing $173 million in assets, it has distributed $80 million during the
past 31 years to make Broward better. For Good. For Ever. For more information, visit
cfbroward.org or call 954.761.9503.
ABOUT MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE
The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science is to provide experiential pathways to lifelong
learning in science for children and adults through exhibits, programs and films. Founded in 1976 as
The Discovery Center, the nonprofit facility serves approximately 400,000 visitors annually. Major
operational support for the Museum is provided through generous support by Leadership Guild
members including: Broward Health, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Sun Sentinel and Wells Fargo.
The Museum is open seven days a week, 365 days a year; Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. with extended IMAX® hours on most evenings. The
Museum of Discovery and Science is located downtown at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale,
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Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, visitors should call 954.467.MODS (6637)
or visit our web site at www.mods.org.
Visitors are also encouraged to ‘LIKE’ and ‘FOLLOW’ the Museum on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MuseumOfDiscoveryAndScience
Twitter: https://twitter.com/imaxsofl; OR https://twitter.com/ottertalks
Instagram: https://instagram.com/m0ds/ OR https://instagram.com/imaxsofl/
Media Contacts:
Marlene Janetos
Theresa Waldron
Cameron Moore
954.713.0915 mjanetos@mods.net
954.713.0901 twaldron@mods.net
954.713.0904 cmoore@mods.net
Website
http://greatballsoffireexhibit.org/index.html
Images:
http://greatballsoffireexhibit.org/gallery_large1.html
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/buq7mubrkrm8x7d/AABNGFsS2F9VscUrLS0SgREZa?dl=0
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