Smithsonian to open massive new 'Ocean Hall'

From USATODAY.com Tech - Top Stories:

The least understood two-thirds of planet Earth — the oceans — are soon to get needed attention from the Smithsonian Institution. "The oceans are a global system that is essential to all life in Earth, including you," acting Smithsonian Secretary Cristian Samper said Thursday at the construction site that will become Ocean Hall at the National Museum of Natural History. Scheduled to open Sept. 27, the 23,000 square-foot hall represents the largest remodeling at the Natural History museum since it opened in 1910, Samper said. As he spoke, a life-size replica of Phoenix, a North Atlantic right whale, loomed overhead. Born in 1987, the real Phoenix has been tracked by ocean experts since her birth, Samper said. "The oceans and life in the oceans shapes our lives every day," added Mary Glackin, deputy undersecretary for oceans and atmosphere at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA and the Smithsonian have worked together for five years to develop the new hall

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