Earth’s Bathysphere and the Milkyway
In contrast to a planetarium that projects images onto a dome ceiling, a Science on a Sphere® (SOS) Theater projects images onto a white sphere, six feet in diameter and suspended from the ceiling. The Earth is presented as it exists in the round. These images invite viewers to both learn and step back in awe of the beauty and complexity of our Earth.
With its grand opening in 2017, the SOS Theater at SFCC is currently the only one of its kind in New Mexico. It seats a maximum of 35 people. Data from National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other areas are incorporated into the imagery on the sphere. We see a rare perspective, as though observing our planet from afar through various lenses. To find out more, see SOS at NOAA.
Experience the Past, Present, and Future of Earth
Some of the hundreds of visualizations address topics such as:
- Real-time weather, historical weather systems, and potential future weather patterns.
- The depth and intensity of both real-time and historical earthquakes and tsunamis.
- Real-time volcanic activity and historic eruptions.
- Tectonic plate movements, with related earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis.
- Ocean temperatures, currents, and scientific buoy locations.
- Climate change and projections of climate change impacts.
- Earth’s shifting magnetic fields and historical aurora activity.
- The solar system’s planets and their moons.
- Movement of migratory animals like sharks, whales, birds, and turtles.
Check out the entire catalog of datasets at NOAA.
One Hemisphere of Jupiter Displayed to Both Halves of the Room
Contact us to have a SEE for yourself or email seeoutreach@sfcc.edu.
