BY ROBERTA GRAFF
During one of the season’s
coldest days this autumn,
I wandered through a jungle
of butterflies in temperatures
hovering above 80 degrees. They
landed in my hair and on my hands,
but seemed to enjoy the tropical
flowers and lush vegetation which
surrounded us even more. We had
not flown to an exotic land, but
were rather at The Butterfly Conservatory
at the American Museum
of Natural History.
The Conservatory is a freestanding
transparent structure teaming
with up to 500 fluttering, colorful
butterflies, blooms and greenery.
You will find iridescent blue
morpho butterflies, striking scarlet
swallowtails, large owl butterflies
and beautiful green birdwings.
Since the average age of a butterfly
is about two weeks, it’s interesting
to note that pupae is shipped to
the museum on a continual basis.
Sunlight streams through the rain
forest canopy byway of powerful
halide lamps and few visitors will
not be swept away by the glorious
monarchs, zebras, longwings and
paper kites to name but a few of
these magnificent creatures fluttering
about.
The Butterfly Conservatory houses
but one of several exceptional
exhibits which will enchant visitors
this holiday season at the American
Museum of Natural History. The
Museum is one of the world’s
preeminent scientific, educational
and cultural institutions and has
a permanent collection of more
than 34 million specimens and
artifacts, as well as exhibition halls,
galleries, the Rose Center for Earth
and Space, and the world famous
Hayden Planetarium. As for the
Planetarium, there is a fascinating
show there now, which is not only
visually stunning, but captivating.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson seduces
even the most sophisticated among
us with a glorious show which takes
the audience soaring through the
mysteries of the cosmos. “Dark
Universe” is dazzling, whisking
one and all through one fascinating
discovery after another. Just
imagine being transported out of
the Milky Way, descending through
Jupiter’s atmosphere and basking in
the afterglow of the Big Bang. This
is but part of this exceptional show
at the Planetarium.
“Unseen Oceans” is a relatively
new exhibit, which highlights the
latest advances in ocean exploration.
Since 70 percent of the Earth’s
surface is covered by oceans, it’s
surprising to note there has been
little exploration until this time.
However, in recent years much
has changed with 21st-century
technology. This is a highly important
exhibit focusing on climate
change and pollution as well as the
treasures which are hidden in the
oceans. It is captivating!
Of course, there are additional
exhibits of the Earth’s past, focusing
on such wondrous subjects as
dinosaurs, early man and rocks.
The museum offers something new
and exciting at every turn and is the
most perfect place to visit during
the holiday season.
The American Museum of
Natural History is located at 81st
Street and Central Park West. It
will be closed Christmas Day. For
more information on times and current
exhibits, go to www.amnh.org
The American Museum
of Natural History
40 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ January 2019
/www.amnh.org
/www.amnh.org
