Mysteries of the DeepMonterey Bay AquariumBeat the heat this summer with a plunge into the cold waters of the deep sea. Monterey Bay Aquarium's newest exhibit, "Mysteries of the Deep," takes visitors on an undersea journey to a place few people have ever seen. New family programs and other special exhibits are also featured this summer at the world-acclaimed aquarium, in addition to the many fascinating permanent displays. "Mysteries of the Deep" showcases nearly 50 species collected from waters as deep as 3,300 feet below the ocean's surface. Live exhibits, videos and hands-on displays take visitors through the three major deep sea habitats of the Monterey submarine canyon the vertical rock faces of the canyon walls, the dark ocean realm of the midwater and the sandy sea floor. Live exhibits feature deep sea creatures like mushroom corals, predatory tunicates, ratfish, sea whips, spider crabs, filetail catsharks, feather stars, Pacific hagfish, and eelpouts. Visitors can watch live video broadcasts from deep sea robot research submersibles during the "Exploring Monterey Canyon" auditorium programs, offered eight times a day during summer. During these broadcasts, research scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, an independent sister institution of the aquarium, study the ecology and behavior of deep sea animals and may collect some for study and display. A fourth exhibit gallery addresses how people are using deep sea resources, and the impact on the health of deep ocean ecosystems. "Mysteries of the Deep" also includes an exhibit of 1930s scientific illustrations of creatures seen during the first-ever explorations of the deep sea. Summer months bring more special programs for children, families and adults. On the aquarium's oceanfront decks, 11 new daily shows will explore Monterey Bay habitats and the creatures that live there, and include many opportunities to see live animals up close. Inside, visitors can make (and take home) a deep sea creation in the Discovery Room, and volunteer guides at Discovery Stations throughout the aquarium share touchable artifacts and information about bat rays, sea otters, whales and Cannery Row history. Visitors can also relive the excitement of the first deep-sea explorations in the 1930s during daily live shows in the "Mysteries of the Deep" exhibition. The special exhibition, "The Inside Story," gives visitors a look at what it takes to create and run a world-class aquarium, including hands-on care sea otter pups receive as they're prepared for a return to the wild and how aquarists feed and care for 300,000 exhibit animals. This summer is the last chance to see a third special exhibit, "Fishing for Solutions What's the Catch?," which closes September 6. This award-winning exhibit tells the story of threats facing commercial fisheries around the world, and what people can do to preserve ocean wildlife for future generations. In the award-winning Outer Bay galleries, visitors will marvel at a million-gallon indoor ocean viewed through the largest window on Earth - an acrylic panel 15 feet high and 54 feet long. This magnificent exhibit is home to sharks, sea turtles, giant ocean sunfish, barracuda, and schools of yellowfin tuna and bonito. The Outer Bay galleries are also home to stunning jellyfish exhibits, housed in the largest jelly tanks in the world; and to "Flippers, Flukes & Fun," a special learning area about marine mammals created just for families with younger children. Other exhibits that make this the most popular aquarium in the nation include a three-story living kelp forest and a two-story sea otter exhibit - both the site of daily feeding shows. Large sharks and diving sea birds roam the 335,000-gallon Monterey Bay Habitats exhibit, shorebirds stroll on beaches in a walk-through aviary, and petting pools with bat rays, sea stars and other marine animals thrill children of all ages. Advance tickets are available through BASS outlets or by phone from the aquarium (1-800-756-3737 inside California; outside California, 831-648-4888). Call 831-899-2555 for information. All aquarium exhibits and programs are included with admission of $15.95 adult; $12.95 senior (65 and over) and student (13-17 or college ID); and $6.95 child (3-12) and disabled. Audio tours, available in five languages, are an additional $3. Through September 6, the aquarium is open from 930 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, call 831-648-4888. HOURS930 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (May 29 through September 6) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (after September 6) ADMISSION
SUMMER PROGRAMS
SPECIAL EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS
SPECIAL SERVICES
Monterey Bay Aquarium Edited by Dave Shultz |
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