New Natural History Museum Exhibit Explores 'Unseen Oceans'

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The Earth's oceans are the most diverse and important ecosystems on the planet, but humans know barely anything about them. A new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History seeks to teach about recent technological advances that have led to a deeper understanding of the Earth's largest bodies of water.

The exhibit, called "Unseen Oceans," is set to debut to the public on March 12 and run until January 2019, according to a museum spokesperson. Museum members will be able to get a first look at the exhibit starting March 9, a press release said.

Currently, only 5-10 percent of the Earth's oceans have been explored by humans, according to a museum press release. "Unseen Oceans" will educate museumgoers on the new technologies and methods scientists are using to open up the world of ocean exploration.

Highlights of the exhibit include:

• A high-resolution screen featuring true-to-scale animations of ocean giants such as giant squids, great white sharks and blue whales;
• A virtual submersible ride;
• Microscope stations where museumgoers can view live zooplankton;
• Several live marine animals on display such as ridescent, bioluminescent comb jellies.

"In 'Unseen Oceans,' visitors will embark on a journey that takes them from the oceans’ sunlit surface to inky depths as they discover the latest ocean science and encounter the researchers and technologies powering exploration today," reads a museum press release.

The exhibit is curated by the American Museum of Natural History's John Sparks, who has curated exhibits such as "Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence," and "Life at the Limits: Stories of Amazing Species."

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