BOSTON'S MUSEUM OF SCIENCE RECENTLY SPENT $9 MILLION UPGRADING THE CHARLES HAYDEN PLANETARIUM BUT THE MOST EXPENSIVE PIECE OF THAT RENOVATION IS NOT ONE OF THE EXHIBITS, IT'S THE $2 MILLION ZEISS STARMASTER PROJECTOR. THE PROJECTOR BRINGS THE UNIVERSE TO LIFE ON THE 57 FOOT ALUMINUM DOME USING LIGHTS AND FIBER OPTICS. TWO SONY HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL PROJECTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE RICHNESS OF THE DISPLAY. THE ZEISS STARMASTER IS ONE OF ONLY TWO IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE ONLY ONE ON THE EAST COAST. THE BOSTON GLOBE REPORTS THAT THE RESOLUTION IS SO GOOD THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE BINOCULARS. THE MUSEUM HAS CREATED A NEW HALF-HOUR SHOW, 'UNDISCOVERED WORLDS' THAT EXPLORES THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT OTHER PLANETS LIKE OURS EXIST. THIS HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC IN THE NEWS LATELY. BY THE END OF 2010 SCIENTISTS KNEW OF OVER 500 OF THESE SO-CALLED 'EXOPLANETS' AND NASA'S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT ITS KELPER TELESCOPE HAD DISCOVERED 1,235 PLANET CANDIDATES MEANS THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED EXOPLANETS COULD MORE THAN DOUBLE. THE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS THE CHALLENGES OF FINDING THESE NEW WORLDS AND SHOWCASES SOME OF THEM INCLUDING THE LAVA PLANET COROT 7B. THIS SPRING, THE MUSEUM WILL BE LAUNCHING 'NIGHT LIGHTS', AN EVENING ENTERTAINMENT SERIES THAT WILL FEATURE LIVE PERFORMANCES UNDER THE STAR-FILLED DOME AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF LASER SHOWS. A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS IS AVAILABLE AT mos.org/planetarium.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, BOSTON, PRESENTS ITS NEW PROJECTOR

BOSTON'S MUSEUM OF SCIENCE RECENTLY SPENT $9 MILLION UPGRADING THE CHARLES HAYDEN PLANETARIUM BUT THE MOST EXPENSIVE PIECE OF THAT RENOVATION IS NOT ONE OF THE EXHIBITS, IT'S THE $2 MILLION ZEISS STARMASTER PROJECTOR. THE PROJECTOR BRINGS THE UNIVERSE TO LIFE ON THE 57 FOOT ALUMINUM DOME USING LIGHTS AND FIBER OPTICS. TWO SONY HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL PROJECTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE RICHNESS OF THE DISPLAY. THE ZEISS STARMASTER IS ONE OF ONLY TWO IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE ONLY ONE ON THE EAST COAST. THE BOSTON GLOBE REPORTS THAT THE RESOLUTION IS SO GOOD THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE BINOCULARS. THE MUSEUM HAS CREATED A NEW HALF-HOUR SHOW, 'UNDISCOVERED WORLDS' THAT EXPLORES THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT OTHER PLANETS LIKE OURS EXIST. THIS HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC IN THE NEWS LATELY. BY THE END OF 2010 SCIENTISTS KNEW OF OVER 500 OF THESE SO-CALLED 'EXOPLANETS' AND NASA'S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT ITS KELPER TELESCOPE HAD DISCOVERED 1,235 PLANET CANDIDATES MEANS THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED EXOPLANETS COULD MORE THAN DOUBLE. THE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS THE CHALLENGES OF FINDING THESE NEW WORLDS AND SHOWCASES SOME OF THEM INCLUDING THE LAVA PLANET COROT 7B. THIS SPRING, THE MUSEUM WILL BE LAUNCHING 'NIGHT LIGHTS', AN EVENING ENTERTAINMENT SERIES THAT WILL FEATURE LIVE PERFORMANCES UNDER THE STAR-FILLED DOME AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF LASER SHOWS. A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS IS AVAILABLE AT mos.org/planetarium.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, BOSTON, PRESENTS ITS NEW PROJECTOR

A MILE LONG FLOATING WALKWAY ON LONDON'S RIVER THAMES IS BEING PLANNED IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL, ALLOWING VIEWS OF THE CITY'S HIDDEN ALLEYS, WHARVES AND LANDMARKS DATING BACK TO MEDIEVAL TIMES. THE PONTOON, KNOWN AS THE 'LONDON RIVER PARK', WILL CONNECT BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE, ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE ANCIENT CITY, AND THE TOWER OF LONDON. SUSPENDED A FEW FEET ABOVE THE WATER ON THE NORTH BANK, THE WALK WILL BE INTERSPERSED WITH FIVE GLASS-ENCASED PAVILIONS HOUSING A MUSEUM, A CINEMA, A CONCERT HALL AND AN ECO-PARK AMONGST OTHER ATTRACTIONS. SWIMMING POOLS ARE CENTRAL TO DRAWINGS OF ONE FUTURISTIC-LOOKING ENCLOSURE. THE 'PROMENADE', TO BE BUILT IN TIME FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE IN 2012, IF FUNDING IS FOUND, WON THE MAYOR OF LONDON'S AWARD FOR PLANNING EXCELLENCE LAST WEEK. THE MAYOR WHO HAS CHAMPIONED THE REJUVENATION OF THE RIVER AS A TRANSPORT ARTERY AND TOURIST ATTRACTION SAID IT WILL ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO 'WANDER THROUGH THE MEANDERING BACKSTREETS OF THE ANCIENT CITY.' A SPOKESPERSON FOR ARCHITECTS GENSLER, WHO DREW UP THE PLANS, SAID THE SCHEME WAS STILL AT A CONCEPTUAL STAGE BUT THAT TALKS ARE TAKING PLACE WITH A NUMBER OF INVESTORS TO FUND THE $40 MILLION PROJECT. THE ELEGANT STRUCTURE ALLOWS VISITORS TO HOP ON AND OFF THE WALKWAY VIA GANGWAYS ALLOWING THEM TO EXPLORE LANDMARKS, ALLEYS AND DISUSED WHARVES CLOSE TO THE SHORE. MANY OF THE CRAMPED COBBLED STREETS, WITH NAMES LIKE 'STEW LANE' AND 'BROKEN WHARF' HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AS THE CITY GREW EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE CENTURIES AND ARE WAY OFF THE USUAL TOURIST ROUTES. THE PONTOON RUNS PAST PROTECTED ANCIENT SITES LIKE QUEENHITHE DOCK, ONE OF THE EARLIEST OF LONDON'S HARBORS THAT DATES BACK TO SAXON AND POSSIBLY ROMAN TIMES. THE WALK WILL ALSO GIVE UNIQUE VANTAGES OF OLD BILLINGSGATE FISH MARKET, THE CENTER OF THE CITY'S FISH TRADE IN THE 16th AND 17th CENTURIES, AND CUSTOM HOUSE, A SITE FIRST USED BY LONDON'S CUSTOMS SERVICE IN 1275. AN ADVANTAGE OF THE DESIGN IS THAT IT CAN BE MOVED AND REASSEMBLED IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY AND THE 'PODS' GIVEN NEW THEMES TO SUIT DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.

FLOATING WALKWAY PLANNED FOR LONDON

A MILE LONG FLOATING WALKWAY ON LONDON'S RIVER THAMES IS BEING PLANNED IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL, ALLOWING VIEWS OF THE CITY'S HIDDEN ALLEYS, WHARVES AND LANDMARKS DATING BACK TO MEDIEVAL TIMES. THE PONTOON, KNOWN AS THE 'LONDON RIVER PARK', WILL CONNECT BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE, ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE ANCIENT CITY, AND THE TOWER OF LONDON. SUSPENDED A FEW FEET ABOVE THE WATER ON THE NORTH BANK, THE WALK WILL BE INTERSPERSED WITH FIVE GLASS-ENCASED PAVILIONS HOUSING A MUSEUM, A CINEMA, A CONCERT HALL AND AN ECO-PARK AMONGST OTHER ATTRACTIONS. SWIMMING POOLS ARE CENTRAL TO DRAWINGS OF ONE FUTURISTIC-LOOKING ENCLOSURE. THE 'PROMENADE', TO BE BUILT IN TIME FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE IN 2012, IF FUNDING IS FOUND, WON THE MAYOR OF LONDON'S AWARD FOR PLANNING EXCELLENCE LAST WEEK. THE MAYOR WHO HAS CHAMPIONED THE REJUVENATION OF THE RIVER AS A TRANSPORT ARTERY AND TOURIST ATTRACTION SAID IT WILL ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO 'WANDER THROUGH THE MEANDERING BACKSTREETS OF THE ANCIENT CITY.' A SPOKESPERSON FOR ARCHITECTS GENSLER, WHO DREW UP THE PLANS, SAID THE SCHEME WAS STILL AT A CONCEPTUAL STAGE BUT THAT TALKS ARE TAKING PLACE WITH A NUMBER OF INVESTORS TO FUND THE $40 MILLION PROJECT. THE ELEGANT STRUCTURE ALLOWS VISITORS TO HOP ON AND OFF THE WALKWAY VIA GANGWAYS ALLOWING THEM TO EXPLORE LANDMARKS, ALLEYS AND DISUSED WHARVES CLOSE TO THE SHORE. MANY OF THE CRAMPED COBBLED STREETS, WITH NAMES LIKE 'STEW LANE' AND 'BROKEN WHARF' HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AS THE CITY GREW EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE CENTURIES AND ARE WAY OFF THE USUAL TOURIST ROUTES. THE PONTOON RUNS PAST PROTECTED ANCIENT SITES LIKE QUEENHITHE DOCK, ONE OF THE EARLIEST OF LONDON'S HARBORS THAT DATES BACK TO SAXON AND POSSIBLY ROMAN TIMES. THE WALK WILL ALSO GIVE UNIQUE VANTAGES OF OLD BILLINGSGATE FISH MARKET, THE CENTER OF THE CITY'S FISH TRADE IN THE 16th AND 17th CENTURIES, AND CUSTOM HOUSE, A SITE FIRST USED BY LONDON'S CUSTOMS SERVICE IN 1275. AN ADVANTAGE OF THE DESIGN IS THAT IT CAN BE MOVED AND REASSEMBLED IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY AND THE 'PODS' GIVEN NEW THEMES TO SUIT DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.

FLOATING WALKWAY PLANNED FOR LONDON

THE HIGHEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD OPENED ITS DOORS IN DUBAI 23.JANUARY, PROMISING 'THE WORLD'S BEST DINING OUT EXPERIENCE'. OCCUPYING THE 122rd FLOOR OF DUBAI'S ENORMOUS BURJI KHALIFA TOWER, AT.MOSPHERE IS THE LATEST RECORD-BREAKER FROM THE EMIRATE, WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE LOST ANY OF ITS CONFIDENCE FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S ECONOMIC DOWN-TURN. GUESTS CAN DINE ON FRESH PRODUCE, WHILE ADMIRING A VIEW MORE AKIN TO THAT FROM AN AIRPLANE WINDOW THAN A GOURMET RESTAURANT, SOME 442 METERS FROM THE GROUND FLOOR LOBBY. AT THE TOP OF A 57-SECOND ELEVATOR RIDE, THE STUNNING NEW RESTAURANT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO UNIQUE LEVELS, A TOP-NOTCH GRILL WHICH OFFERS GRILLED, BROILED OR BAKED OPTIONS, AND THE AT.MOSPHERE LOUNGE WHICH 'SERVES AS AN IDEAL STOPOVER FOR A LIGHT LUNCH OR EVEN AN AFTERNOON TEA.' HOUSE SPECIALITIES RECOMMENDED BY AT.MOSPHERE'S EXECUTIVE CHEF DWAYN CHEER INCLUDE FOIE GRAS AND BEEF TARTARE, BUT DON'T THINK THAT'S ALL YOU'LL BE HAVING. THERE'S REPORTEDLY A MINIMUM SPEND OF €90 PER PERSON IN THE RESTAURANT AND €40 IN THE LOUNGE AREA. DUBAI OPENED THE BURJ KHALIFA, THE WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING, EARLY LAST YEAR, ONLY TO CLOSE IT AGAIN AFTER A MONTH BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE ELEVATORS. WHEN IT REOPENED IN APRIL, BUZZ AMONG THE INITIAL GUESTS WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THE VIEWS FROM THE 124th FLOOR OBSERVATION AND THE PROSPECT OF A NIGHT IN THE WORLD'S FIRST ARMANI HOTEL, WHICH OPENED ITS DOORS WITH MUCH FANFARE 27.APRIL.2010. WITH THE NEW RESTAURANT, DUBAI HOPES TO PROVE THAT DESPITE ITS RECENT FINANCIAL TROUBLES, IT STILL CAN OFFER UNPARALLELED LUXURY TO THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.

WORLD'S HIGHEST RESTAURANT OPENS

THE HIGHEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD OPENED ITS DOORS IN DUBAI 23.JANUARY, PROMISING 'THE WORLD'S BEST DINING OUT EXPERIENCE'. OCCUPYING THE 122rd FLOOR OF DUBAI'S ENORMOUS BURJI KHALIFA TOWER, AT.MOSPHERE IS THE LATEST RECORD-BREAKER FROM THE EMIRATE, WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE LOST ANY OF ITS CONFIDENCE FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S ECONOMIC DOWN-TURN. GUESTS CAN DINE ON FRESH PRODUCE, WHILE ADMIRING A VIEW MORE AKIN TO THAT FROM AN AIRPLANE WINDOW THAN A GOURMET RESTAURANT, SOME 442 METERS FROM THE GROUND FLOOR LOBBY. AT THE TOP OF A 57-SECOND ELEVATOR RIDE, THE STUNNING NEW RESTAURANT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO UNIQUE LEVELS, A TOP-NOTCH GRILL WHICH OFFERS GRILLED, BROILED OR BAKED OPTIONS, AND THE AT.MOSPHERE LOUNGE WHICH 'SERVES AS AN IDEAL STOPOVER FOR A LIGHT LUNCH OR EVEN AN AFTERNOON TEA.' HOUSE SPECIALITIES RECOMMENDED BY AT.MOSPHERE'S EXECUTIVE CHEF DWAYN CHEER INCLUDE FOIE GRAS AND BEEF TARTARE, BUT DON'T THINK THAT'S ALL YOU'LL BE HAVING. THERE'S REPORTEDLY A MINIMUM SPEND OF €90 PER PERSON IN THE RESTAURANT AND €40 IN THE LOUNGE AREA. DUBAI OPENED THE BURJ KHALIFA, THE WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING, EARLY LAST YEAR, ONLY TO CLOSE IT AGAIN AFTER A MONTH BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE ELEVATORS. WHEN IT REOPENED IN APRIL, BUZZ AMONG THE INITIAL GUESTS WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THE VIEWS FROM THE 124th FLOOR OBSERVATION AND THE PROSPECT OF A NIGHT IN THE WORLD'S FIRST ARMANI HOTEL, WHICH OPENED ITS DOORS WITH MUCH FANFARE 27.APRIL.2010. WITH THE NEW RESTAURANT, DUBAI HOPES TO PROVE THAT DESPITE ITS RECENT FINANCIAL TROUBLES, IT STILL CAN OFFER UNPARALLELED LUXURY TO THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.

WORLD'S HIGHEST RESTAURANT OPENS

THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER IN BOSTON BY I.M. PEI & PARTNERS, HAS BEEN SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE 2010 AIA 25 YEAR AWARD. THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN FUNCTION, IN THE DISTINGUISHED EXECUTION OF ITS ORIGINAL PROGRAM, AND IN THE CREATIVE ASPECTS OF ITS STATEMENT BY TODAY'S STANDARDS. THE 2010 25 YEAR AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE AIA NATIONAL CONVENTION IN NEW ORLEANS. 35 YEARS AFTER ITS DEDICATION, THE LEAN, RHOMBOID REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER DESIGNED BY HENRY COBB, FAIA, CONTINUES TO DRAMATIZE THIS CLASSIC ARCHITECTURAL QUESTION OF AESTHETIC BALANCE. BUILT ON A SMALL SITE ADJACENT TO SOME OF BOSTON'S GREATEST ARCHITECTURAL ASSETS, THE TOWER HAD TO BE MASSIVE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE OWNER'S REQUIREMENTS, YET ABSOLUTELY MINDFUL OF ITS DELICATE AND HISTORIC SURROUNDINGS. LOCATED IN BOSTON'S HISTORIC COPLEY SQUARE, THE HANCOCK TOWER CONTINUES TO SERVE AS AN OFFICE BUILDING. THE 60 STORY, 790 FOOT REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER REMAINS THE TALLEST BUILDING IN NEW ENGLAND. BOSTON GLOBE ARCHITECTURE CRITIC ROBERT CAMBELL, FAIA, SAID THE TOWER IS 'ONE OF THE GREATEST OFFICE TOWERS OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20th CENTURY.'

JOHN HANCOCK TOWER TO RECEIVE AIA 25 YEAR AWARD

THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER IN BOSTON BY I.M. PEI & PARTNERS, HAS BEEN SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE 2010 AIA 25 YEAR AWARD. THE JOHN HANCOCK TOWER HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN FUNCTION, IN THE DISTINGUISHED EXECUTION OF ITS ORIGINAL PROGRAM, AND IN THE CREATIVE ASPECTS OF ITS STATEMENT BY TODAY'S STANDARDS. THE 2010 25 YEAR AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE AIA NATIONAL CONVENTION IN NEW ORLEANS. 35 YEARS AFTER ITS DEDICATION, THE LEAN, RHOMBOID REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER DESIGNED BY HENRY COBB, FAIA, CONTINUES TO DRAMATIZE THIS CLASSIC ARCHITECTURAL QUESTION OF AESTHETIC BALANCE. BUILT ON A SMALL SITE ADJACENT TO SOME OF BOSTON'S GREATEST ARCHITECTURAL ASSETS, THE TOWER HAD TO BE MASSIVE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE OWNER'S REQUIREMENTS, YET ABSOLUTELY MINDFUL OF ITS DELICATE AND HISTORIC SURROUNDINGS. LOCATED IN BOSTON'S HISTORIC COPLEY SQUARE, THE HANCOCK TOWER CONTINUES TO SERVE AS AN OFFICE BUILDING. THE 60 STORY, 790 FOOT REFLECTIVE GLASS TOWER REMAINS THE TALLEST BUILDING IN NEW ENGLAND. BOSTON GLOBE ARCHITECTURE CRITIC ROBERT CAMBELL, FAIA, SAID THE TOWER IS 'ONE OF THE GREATEST OFFICE TOWERS OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20th CENTURY.'

JOHN HANCOCK TOWER TO RECEIVE AIA 25 YEAR AWARD

A GIANT BLUE ROOSTER AND A BOY ON A ROCKING HORSE WILL STAND ALONGSIDE A STATUE OF MILITARY HERO ADM HORATIA NELSON IN LONDON'S TRAFALGAR SQUARE. OFFICIALS ON FRIDAY ANNOUNCED THE NEXT TWO ARTWORKS TO FILL THE SQUARE'S EMPTY 'FOURTH PLINTH', ONE OF THE CITY'S MAJOR SHOWCASES FOR PUBLIC ART. NEXT YEAR THE PLATFORM WILL HOLD A BRONZE SCULPTURE OF A BOY ASTRIDE A ROCKING HORSE BY MICHAEL ELMGREEN AND INGAR DRAGSET. THE PIECE IS INTENDED AS A THOUGHTFUL RIPOSTE TO THE SQUARE'S MILITARY MONUMENTS. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED IN 2013 BY GERMAN ARTIST KATHERINE FRITSCH'S ULTRAMARINE COCKEREL, DESIGNED TO SYMBOLIZE 'REGENERATION, AWAKENING AND STRENGTH'. MAYOR BORIS JOHNSON SAID THE 'WITTY AND ENIGMATIC CREATIONS UNDERLINE LONDON'S POSITION AS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING CITIES FOR ART AND ARE SURE TO KEEP PEOPLE TALKING.'ONE OF LONDON'S MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, THE SQUARE WAS NAMED AFTER NELSON'S 1805 VICTORY OVER THE FRENCH AND SPANISH FLEETS. A STATUE OF THE ONE-ARMED ADMIRAL STANDS ATOP NELSON'S COLUMN AT THE CENTER OF THE PLAZA, AND STATUES OF OTHER 19th CENTURY MILITARY LEADERS ARE NEARBY. THE FOURTH PLINTH WAS ERECTED IN 1841 FOR AN EQUESTRIAN STATUE THAT WAS NEVER COMPLETED. SINCE 1999 IT HAS BEEN OCCUPIED BY ARTWORKS ERECTED FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS AT A TIME. THE CURRENT OCCUPANT IS YINKA SHONIBARE'S 'NELSON'S SHIP IN A BOTTLE', A REPLICA OF THE NAVAL HERO'S HMS VICTORY WITH MULTI-COLOURED SAILS OF AFRICAN CLOTH.

NEW ARTWORKS FOR 'FOURTH PLINTH' UNVEILED