``Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats'' -- Bat Exhibit Turns Myths Upside-Down at the California Science Center.News Editors & Education Writers LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2001 "Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats," a touring exhibit that opens at the California Science Center The California Science Center (sometimes spelled California ScienCenter) is a state agency and museum located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Billed as the West Coast's largest hands-on science center, the California ScienCenter is a public-private partnership between the State on March 31 and runs through Sept. 9, 2001, is bringing the mystery surrounding bats out of the dark. The exhibition dispels popular misconceptions about bats, describes their ecological importance and gives visitors an appreciation of the true wonders of the bat world. Special effects special effects, in motion pictures, cinematographic techniques that create illusions in the audience's minds as well as the illusions created using these techniques. , multi-sensory interactive displays, a Gothic castle and environmentally lifelike settings such as caves and rain forests present bats in mythic and real-life settings. Dr. Merlin Tuttle, founder of Bat Conservation International (BCI BCI Bat Conservation International BCI Brain-Computer Interface BCI Business Continuity Institute BCI Business Cycle Indicators BCI Banco de Credito e Inversiones (Chilean bank) BCI Bell Canada International ), serves as scientific consultant. BCI is widely recognized as the international leader in conservation and education initiatives that protect bats and their habitats. A Neo-Gothic portal opens the way into the exhibit for a view of the world as a bat sees it -- upside-down. The adjacent home of an 18th-century bat enthusiast displays centuries of mythic representations of bats by different cultures -- all presented upside-down. A transitional area with bat portrait photography and a giant-screen video introduces visitors to the real world of bats as diverse, beneficial mammals with fascinating skills and extraordinary abilities. Visitors then enter the bat's world. A rain forest setting at dawn provides a realistic look at bats' habitats and their appearance. Roosting habits, hibernation and other behaviors are depicted through interactive displays and exhibitry in a cave that simulates an entrance in daytime and an exit at dusk. Children can crawl through the cave or hang like a bat. More hands-on displays in a rain forest setting at dusk relate to the evening activities of bats, such as echolocation echolocation Physiological process for locating distant or invisible objects (such as prey) by emitting sound waves that are reflected back to the emitter by the objects. Echolocation is used by an animal to orient itself, avoid obstacles, find food, and interact socially. (sonar ability), pollination pollination, transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organ (stamen or staminate cone) to the female reproductive organ (pistil or pistillate cone) of the same or of another flower or cone. , diet and flight. For example, in a demonstration of echolocation, visitors can use a joystick to maneuver a bat model in search of food using a laser to simulate sonar. In a visit to a bat nursery, visitors learn how caring bat mothers are. Visitors also discover how similar bat and human anatomies really are by flexing a giant mechanical wing. The exhibit then takes visitors through a re-created curator's office. Specimens, huge models, bones and anatomical comparisons provide a look at bats from a scientific perspective. The visitor can touch models of oversized o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. bat heads and learn about current scientific research involving bat guano guano (gwä`nō), dried excrement of sea birds and bats found principally on the coastal islands of Peru, Africa, Chile, and the West Indies. It contains about 6% phosphorus, 9% nitrogen, 2% potassium, and moisture. and saliva. Two 5,000-square-foot sets of "Masters of the Night" are touring major museums and zoos in North America. Also at IMAX IMAX Noun a film projection process that produces an image ten times larger than standard : "Journey Into Amazing Caves" plunges into fascinating caverns in exotic locations filled with mysteries waiting to be discovered. This film follows Dr. Hazel Barton, a young microbiologist, and her colleague, Nancy Aulenbach, on their pulse-quickening descent into dangerous, yet beautiful, caves. Featured in the film are underwater caves of the Yucatan peninsula, ice caves in Greenland and terrestrial caves in Arkansas Arkansas, especially North-western Arkansas with its karst topography, is known for its many caves. This list of caves in Arkansas concentrates on caves that converted into tourists attractions and is arranged from oldest to newest and includes the location and date they opened to . Note to Editors: The California Science Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day New Year's Day, among ancient peoples the first day of the year frequently corresponded to the vernal or autumnal equinox, or to the summer or winter solstice. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated among Christians usually on Mar. 25. . Admission to the exhibitions is free. For recorded information on IMAX show times, phone 213/744-7400. For advance ticket purchases, group rates, or to make free reservations for any visiting group of 15 or more (required), call 213/744-2019. Parking is available in the guest lot at Figueroa and 39th Street for $5 per car. Both the Science Center and IMAX Theater are wheelchair accessible. For general information, phone 323/SCIENCE or visit the Web site at www.casciencectr.org. |
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