Museum events: American Museum of Natural History

EXHIBITIONS

Seasons of Life and Land: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Through March 7, 2004

Over 40 large-format color photographs by conservationist Subhankar Banerjee focus on the interdependent relationship of land, water, wildlife, and humanity in Alaska's Arctic Refuge.

Petra: Lost City of Stone

Through July 6, 2004

This exhibition tells the story of a thriving metropolis at the crossroads of the ancient world's major trade routes.

In New York, Petra: Lost City of Stone is made possible by Banc of America Securities and Con Edison. The American Museum of Natural History also gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Lionel I. Pincus and HRH Princess Firyal and of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This exhibition is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and the Cincinnati Art Museum, under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Air transportation generously provided by Royal Jordanian.

The Bedouin of Petra

Through July 6, 2004

Photojournalist Vivian Ronay's evocative color photographs document the Bedoul group of Bedouin tribes living near the archaeological site of Petra in Jordan.

This exhibition is made possible by the generosity of the Arthur Ross Foundation.

The Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter

Through May 31, 2004

The butterflies are back! This popular exhibition includes more than 500 live, free-flying tropical butterflies in an enclosed tropical habitat where visitors can mingle with them.

The Buttery Conservatory is made possible through the generous support of Bernard and Anne Spitzer.

Vietnam: Journeys of Body, Mind & Spirit

Through March 7, 2004 Gallery 77, first floor

This comprehensive exhibition presents Vietnamese culture in the early 21st century. The visitor is invited to "walk in Vietnamese shoes" and explore daily life among Vietnam's more than 50 ethnic groups.

Organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi. This exhibition and related programs are made possible by the philanthropic leadership of the Freeman Foundation. Additional generous funding provided by the Ford Foundation for the collaboration between the American Museum of Natural History and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Also supported by the Asian Cultural Council. Planning grant provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

It's a Wild, Wild, World: Snakes

Sunday, 2/8, 12;00 noon-1:00 p.m.

Live snakes from Texas, Madagascar, and elsewhere. Snake-related workshops are at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Petra: Puzzles of the Past

Saturday, 2/14, 11:00 a.m.12:30 p.m. (Ages 9-12)

Discover the ancient culture of Petra through archaeology.

Don't Know Much About Space[R] Quiz

Sunday, 2/15, 2:00-3:30 p.m. (Ages 6 and up)

Kenneth C. Davis hosts a fun interactive game in which panelists chosen from the audience match wits.

CHILDREN'S ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS

Stories of the Native American Sky

Saturday, 2/7, 12:30-2:00 p.m. (Ages 4-5, each child with one adult)

Space Explorers: Telescope Star Party

Tuesday, 2/10, 4:30-5:45 p.m. (Ages 10 and up)

Life on Mars?

Saturday, 2/28, 12:30-2:00 p.m. (Ages 11-13)

GLOBAL WEEKENDS

Black History Month: South Africa: Freedom, Liberation, and Democracy

Saturdays, 2/14, 21, and 28, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Celebrate the tenth anniversary of the official end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa, through films, discussions, spoken word, poetry, dance, and live musical performances.

Global Weekends are made possible, in part, by The Coca-Cola Company. The American Museum of Natural History wishes to thank the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., the Tolan Family, and the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt for their support of these programs.

HAYDEN PLANETARIUM PROGRAMS

TUESDAYS IN THE DOME

Virtual Universe: Tale of Two Clusters

Tuesday, 2/3, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

This Just In ... February's Hot Topics

Tuesday, 2/17, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Celestial Highlights: Spring Arrives

Tuesday, 2/24, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

COURSES

Astronomy, Art, and Physics

Saturday, 2/7, 10:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.

Historical correlations between artistic revolutions and the insights of astronomers.

Using a Telescope

Four Mondays, 2/23-3/15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

An introduction to the basics of amateur observing.

LECTURES

SIRTF: The Last of the Great Observatories

Monday, 2/9, 7:30 p.m.

With Jim Houck, Professor of Astronomy, Cornell University.

Biocosm: The New Scientific Theory of Evolution

Monday, 2/23, 7:30 p.m.

With complexity theorist James Gardner.

PLANETARIUM SHOWS

Sonic Vision

Friday and Saturday, 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30 p.m.

A mind-warping musical and visual roller-coaster ride.

SonicVision is made possible by generous sponsorship and technology support from Sun Microsysterns, Inc.

The Search for Life: Are We Alone?

Narrated by Harrison Ford