Dynamic Earth Globe
Credit: Denis Finnin

At the center of the Hall hangs the Dynamic Earth Globe, measuring eight feet in diameter. This hemisphere houses a unique internal projection system that beams a digital film to render a stunning view of Earth from outer space. As the twelve-minute video loop progresses, visitors in the granite amphitheater below are able to watch Earth make a full rotation as its cloud cover slowly disperses, revealing a surface of dark, deep oceans and lush green continents. All the vegetation and then the water slowly disappear, uncovering the Earth's rugged topography, and resulting in a final, haunting view of the Earth without atmosphere or water. All the elements dramatically reappear as the globe completes its rotation. To create the most realistic images of the Earth, programmers used data from a variety of sources, including U.S. Air Force Defense Meteorological satellites and polar orbiting weather satellites.