Calendar of Events: April 2008
- Tuesday, April 1
- Eyes Like a Hawk
- 2:00pm, Atrium
A 15-minute Short Talk by Larry Rinehart, Museum Paleo Preparator.
- Free with Museum Admission.
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- Friday, April 4
- First Friday Fractals
- 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm in the Planetarium
The Fractal Foundation and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science invite you to a live fractal show in the Planetarium. Suitable for all ages, the show features both the science and the art of fractals, and includes dramatic animated footage of ultradeep fractal zooms, together with original, locally-produced music.
- $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 ages 3-12, which includes a $1 service charge. Tickets available online.
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- Saturday, April 5
- First Saturday at the SMNHC
- 9:00am to 3:00pm at the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center
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The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is open and free to the public the first Saturday of every month from March to September. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can explore the bird/wildlife observation deck, geocaching, self-guided hikes, nature exhibits, and an orienteering course. Education sessions on specific themes are from 10 to 11 a.m.
This Saturday's theme: Mammals of the Sandias—More than 80 species of mammals live in the Sandia Mountains; join us to learn some of their interesting habits and how they all share the mountain.
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Free to the public
For more information or directions please contact the SMNHC staff at 281-5259 or email chris.modelski@state.nm.us, or check the SMNHC website. - Tuesday, April 8
- Mars Update
- 2:00pm, Atrium
A 15-minute Short Talk by Dr. Larry Crumpler, Museum Adjunct Curator and Member of the Mars Rover Team.
- Free with Museum Admission.
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- Thursday, April 10
- Life at the Edge: Evolutionary Adaptations to Extreme Environments
- 7:00pm, Dynatheater
- Voices in Science Lecture by Chuck Fisher, Ph.D.
The deep mid-ocean ridge system is home to some of the most extreme animal habitats found on Earth: high pressure, lack of light, toxic chemicals, and low temperatures but extreme temperature fluctuations up to 350° C! Specially adapted animals not only tolerate these conditions, they often thrive under them. These include clams with special feet and blood used to “mine” sulfide from cracks in the mid-ocean ridge lavas, mussels and snails that have giant gills filled with special bacteria to provide them with food, and shrimp that have lost their normal eyes and use patches on their backs to “see” the faint light of active hydrothermal vents. Amazing images will introduce the audience to the mid-ocean ridge system, the deep-sea, and life in the changing environment of hydrothermal vents. Come explore this exotic environment!
Chuck Fisher is a Professor of Biology at The Pennsylvania State University. He was one of the first scientists to study and publish about life in the deep sea hydrothermal vents in the 1980s. He has participated in 57 research expeditions (including 27 as chief scientist), made 126 dives in manned research submarines, and spent over 4 months at sea working with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
Sponsored by: The Ridge 2000 Program funded by The National Science Foundation, and University of New Mexico Biology and Earth and Planetary Sciences Departments.
- $2 public/$1 members, seniors, students.
Reservations recommended: call Chris Sanchez at 841-2872 or email chris.sanchez@state.nm.us - Return to the top
- Tuesday, April 15
- Strange Days on Planet Earth
- 7:00pm, Dynatheater
- Voices in Science Lecture by Mark Shelley
“Strange Days on Planet Earth” is a unique production that integrates cutting-edge research, state of the art graphics, and globe spanning investigations, all presented as a high-tech detective story. In partnership with National Geographic, the program raises public understanding about how individuals are interconnected to our planet's life systems. The inaugural PBS series, hosted by Academy-award nominated actor Edward Norton, earned 14 major film festival honors. This April a new season will focus on global ocean and freshwater issues. Join the producer of this series for a unique preview and behind-the-scenes stories about this special program.
Mark Shelley is Executive Director of Sea Studios Foundation. He has used film-making to spotlight some of the most pressing issues of our times—from climate change to invasive species, from the loss of biological diversity to the loss of large predators and landscape fragmentation, and the vital role of our oceans in Earth?s life support systems. He is internationally recognized for his underwater filmmaking skills. Mark is an expert diver, submersible pilot, and airplane pilot.
Co-sponsored with KNME-TV, New Mexicans for Science and Reason and Coalition for Excellence in Science and Math Education
“Strange Days on Planet Earth” will air on KNME-TV Wednesday, April 23rd at 9:00pm.
- $2 public/$1 members, seniors, students.
Reservations recommended: call Chris Sanchez at 841-2872 or email chris.sanchez@state.nm.us - Return to the top
- Thursday, April 17
- The Triassic Lungfish Kirby
- 2:00pm, Atrium
A 15-minute Short Talk by Mike Sanchez, Naturalist Center Supervisor.
- Free with Museum Admission.
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- Tuesday, April 22
- Earth Poetry for Earth Day
- 2:00pm, Atrium
A 15-minute Short Talk by Jessica Sapunar-Jursich, Family Programs Coordinator.
- Free with Museum Admission.
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- Saturday, April 26
- Mass Extinction
- 10:00am
- A KNME Science Café with Tom Williamson, Ph.D.
What caused the greatest mass extinction in the history of multi-cellular life? Way back before dinosaurs, 250 million years ago, nearly 90% of all life on Earth died. A Nova Science Now segment will show us a half-dozen plausible theories, then we'll have a discussion with Dr. Tom Williamson. The Museum's newest exhibition on the Triassic, opening on May 17th, will include this extinction event. Refreshments will be served.
Tom Williamson, Ph.D. has been Curator of Paleontology at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science for over 14 years. His recent research has looked at the fossil record spanning the Cretaceous/Tertiary extinction event at the end of the Age of Dinosaurs and the beginning of the Age of Mammals.
Hosted by KNME-TV5 with support from NM Tech and Lockheed Martin/Sandia National Laboratory.
- Free, but reservations are required.
Reservations recommended: call Chris Sanchez at 841-2872 or email chris.sanchez@state.nm.us - Return to the top
- Tuesday, April 29
- Gordon Moore and Intel
- 2:00pm, Atrium
A 15-minute Short Talk by Wayne Adamcik, Graphic Designer/Webmaster.
- Free with Museum Admission.
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