The Houston Museum of Pure Science (HMNS) is not solely a museum; it is an establishment. Amongst its 433,000 sq. ft, the museum has 5 flooring of everlasting halls and rotating, touring particular displays. And it is well-known for its Burke Baker Planetarium, Wortham Big Display Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Heart and two satellite tv for pc places: George Observatory and HMNS at Sugarland. 

For each vacationers and Houstonians alike, this go-to attraction within the Museum District is a big hit and makes for a fun-filled outing. In the event you’re planning to go to, we’re shining the highlight on 13 uncommon and extraordinary experiences you will discover on the Houston Museum of Pure Science. 

Watch a uncommon pendulum at work

A must-see exhibit at this museum, which was based in 1909, is the Herzstein Foucault Pendulum. Named after a French physicist, the pendulum is suspended from a 60-foot cable and demonstrates the rotation of the earth. Solely a handful of those pendulums exist around the globe. Different places embody New York Metropolis, Oregon, Colorado, California, France, England and Russia.

Behold one of many largest blue sapphires on the earth

Within the Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault, the crème de la crème of uncommon jewels, the Siren of Serendip sapphire, dazzles in a necklace that additionally options 913 diamonds. The gorgeous sapphire weighs 422.66 carats and is taken into account one of many high 5 sapphires on the earth. Found in Sri Lanka, earlier than it was minimize and polished, the sapphire initially weighed 2,670 carats.

See the Mona Lisa of minerals

As for an additional magnificence, The Alma Queen is an excellent, crimson rhodochrosite on exhibit within the Cullen Corridor of Gems and Minerals. And get this—it is often known as the Mona Lisa of the mineral world on account of its sculptural composition. In 1965, this gem was extracted from a Colorado mine, and it is one of the crucial well-known specimens in mineralogy.

Come nose to nose with preserved mummies

The Corridor of Historic Egypt spans over 10,000 sq. ft and consists of jewellery, crafts, instruments, weapons and preserved mummies starting from 2,500 BC to 200 AD. 

See a big, record-breaking black marlin

While you stroll into the Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Corridor, you may’t assist however discover a big black marlin. The marlin, which weighs 1,560 kilos, was caught in 1953 by Alfred Glassell, a millionaire oil tycoon, philanthropist by day and adventurer by night time. He set a world report that also stands right now for the most important black marlin caught with a rod and a reel.

The Morian Corridor of Paleontology in Houston, Texas. 

Photograph Courtesy of HMNS / Photographer Mike Rathke

Admire a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil with essentially the most full arms and ft of any T. Rex found

Put together to be mesmerized within the Morian Corridor of Paleontology, all 30,000 sq. ft of it. Referred to as one of many largest and most dynamic paleontology halls on the earth, it is as huge because the dinosaurs that occupy it—equal in dimension to the size of a soccer area. Positive, the 450 casts and fossils are spectacular and all, similar to “Wyrex,” a Tyrannosaurus rex that includes the most effective preserved and most full arms and ft of any T.rex that is been found, however seeing the prehistoric relics displayed searching and preventing in action-mode can be tremendous distinctive. The curator is world-renowned paleontologist Dr. Robert T. Bakker who was additionally an advisor for the “Jurassic Park” motion pictures. In actual fact, the Dr. Robert Burke character in “The Misplaced World: Jurassic Park” was based mostly on him. How cool is that?

Spot African wildlife species hardly ever seen by people

The Frensley/Graham Corridor of African Wildlife encompasses seven biomes representing 120 specimens in African wildlife and conservation, however what makes this actually neat is you could see many species together with Gerenuk, Big Forest Hog and Guenons which might be hardly ever noticed in museums.

View Texas wildlife distinctive to the Lone Star State

Recognized for having essentially the most species of Texas wildlife in a single exhibit, the Farish Corridor of Texas Wildlife consists of greater than 425 specimens on show, y’all. From present-day specimens like alligators to extinct passenger pigeons and endangered species like ocelots, this exhibit is actually distinctive to the Lone Star State.

A butterfly with black and white wings sits on a purple flower. 

Mike Rathke

Stroll amongst 1,500 reside butterflies fluttering by way of a tropical rainforest

Each needed to encompass your self with 1,500 colourful butterflies? You’ll be able to on the Cockrell Butterfly Heart which is house to 60 completely different species of butterflies. In contrast to most butterfly pavilions, this one additionally has a rainforest conservatory. The three-story glass construction was constructed round a 50-foot waterfall and simulates a tropical rainforest. The temperature is often between 75 and 80 levels with humidity of 70 to 80 %. 

Go to galaxies in the identical planetarium used to coach NASA astronauts

Since 1964, The Burke Baker Planetarium has introduced astronomical packages to thousands and thousands of tourists, and it is the whole lot you want in a planetarium after which some. It options Digistar 6, the world chief in digital planetarium software program and projection, and faucets right into a digital cloud library to incorporate the most recent discoveries. A go to right here permits guests to really feel as in the event that they’re hovering by way of galaxies. As for the final word bragging rights, this dome theater has been used to coach NASA House Shuttle astronauts in star area identification.

George Observatory telescope in Houston, Texas. 

Images courtesy of the Houston Museum of Pure Science / Photographer: Mike Rathke

See stars by way of the most important telescope within the nation that is out there to the general public

One of many museum’s two satellite tv for pc amenities, George Observatory, positioned in Brazos Bend State Park, has a big 36-inch, Gueymard Analysis Telescope. It is to not be missed—the truth is, it is the most important telescope within the nation that is out there to the general public. Channel your interior astronomer as you marvel on the photo voltaic system whereas chatting with astronomers who function guides.

Expertise a larger-than-life IMAX journey

In the event you’re in awe of the pictures and sound high quality of the six-track sound system on the Wortham Theatre, Houston’s first IMAX, you are not alone. That is as a result of 3D photos are projected onto a display that measures 80 ft large and 6 tales tall. Right here, rise up shut and private with on-screen sea lions, discover the Nice Barrier Reef and even take a holographic journey with dinosaurs.

See the largest personal assortment of Fabergé on the earth

Received Fabergé? As soon as renovations are full in fall 2023, you may go to the Cullen Corridor of Gems and Minerals to see the McFerrin Fabergé Assortment—the most important personal assortment of Fabergé on the earth. It has over 600 items that had been initially created as items for royalty, and over 70 eggs. Highlights of the beautiful eggs embody the Imperial Diamond Trells Egg from 1892, the Nobel Ice Egg from 1913 and the Kelch Rocaille Egg from 1902. An indicator of jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé’s Imperial Easter Eggs was to incorporate a bit of shock, reminiscent of a mechanical animal figurine, contained in the egg for the recipient.

Discover it: Houston Museum of Pure Science, 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030; 713-639-4629