AMNH Announces Special Exhibits and Programs, Kicks Off 5/29

The American Museum of Natural History has announced its upcoming Special Exhibits and programs, running 5/29 through 2012.

The special exhibits include:

Race to the End of the Earth (May 29, 2010 - January 2, 2011)
Race to the End of the Earth will recount one of the most stirring tales of the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration: the contest to be the first to reach the South Pole in 1911-1912. The exhibition will focus on the challenges that the two leaders-Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and British Royal Navy Captain Robert Falcon Scott-faced as they undertook their 1,800-mile journeys from the shores of the Ross Sea to the Pole and back. Nutrition, human endurance, equipment, logistics, and Antarctica's extreme weather conditions were among the many challenges that each team had to face, with outcomes that included both triumph and tragedy. The exhibition also spotlights modern scientific exploration in the Antarctic and the latest research on this unique continent. Gallery 4, fourth floor.

The Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter (October 16, 2010 - May 30, 2011)
This exhibition, first presented in 1998 and now an annual favorite, features up to 500 live, free-flying tropical butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The butterflies are housed in a vivarium that approximates their natural habitat and includes live flowering plants that serve as nectar sources; has controlled artificial light, temperature, and humidity; and measures more than 60 feet long, 21 feet wide, and 10 feet high. Among the species included in the vivarium are iridescent blue morpho butterflies, striking scarlet swallowtails, and large owl butterflies. Text panels located immediately outside the vivarium offer information about the evolution and life cycle of butterflies, including sections on mimicry, diversity, and butterflies' important role in conservation. Whitney Hall of Oceanic Birds, second floor.

Brain: The Inside Story (November 20, 2010 - August 14, 2011)
Step into your brain. In this exhibition, explore how the brain-a product of millions of years of evolution-produces thoughts, senses, and feelings; experience how the brain is continually changing at different stages of life; and discover how new understanding of the workings of the brain may help scientists repair and reverse declines in brain function. Gallery 3, third floor.

The World's Largest Dinosaurs (May 2011 - January 2012)
The World's Largest Dinosaurs will examine the dinosaurs known as sauropods-a group that includes the largest animals ever to have walked on Earth. Focusing on the biology and behavior of sauropods ranging from the gigantic Apatosaurus, made famous in popular media, to new discoveries such as the long-necked Erketu, The World's Largest Dinosaurs will present and examine evidence and technologies that are helping paleontologists unlock the secrets of these massive, memorable animals. The exhibition will include specimens from the Museum's collections of sauropod skulls, teeth, vertebrae, skin impressions, and a variety of other ancient specimens. Hands-on, computer-based activities will investigate some of the leading questions in sauropod research. Gallery 4, fourth floor.

Frogs: A Chorus of Colors (May 28, 2011 - January 8, 2012)
Back by popular demand, this delightful exhibition introduces visitors to the colorful and richly diverse world of frogs. More than 200 live frogs, from the tiny golden mantella frog (less than an inch long) to the enormous African bullfrog (as big as eight inches in diameter), are shown in their re-created habitats, complete with rock ledges, live plants, and waterfalls. Featuring approximately 25 species from such countries as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Russia, Suriname, the United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam, the exhibition explores the evolution and biology of these amphibians, their importance to ecosystems, and the threats they face in the world's changing environments. Interactive stations throughout the exhibition invite visitors to activate recorded frog calls, view videos of frogs in action, and test their knowledge about these fascinating amphibians. Gallery 77, first floor.

Upcoming programs include the 10th anniversary of the Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space "Rose Around the Clock" celebration (10/10/2010), the Seventeenth Annual Family Party (10/19/2010), Halloween Celebration (10/31/2010), the Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival (11/11/2010 - 11/14/2010), the Origami Holiday Tree (11/22/2010 - 01/02/2011), and Kwanzaa Celebration (12/26/2010).

The American Museum of Natural History is open daily from 10am - 5:45pm. The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Suggested general admission, which supports the Museum's scientific and educational endeavors and includes 46 Museum halls and the Rose Center for Earth and Space, is $16 (adults) suggested, $12 (students/seniors) suggested, or $9 (children) suggested. All prices are subject to change. The Museum offers discounted combination ticket prices that include suggested general admission plus special exhibitions, IMAX films, and Space Shows. For additional information, please call 212-769-5100 or visit the Museum's website at amnh.org.