science centres news Buffalo Museum of Science reopens renovated observatory PHOTO: BUFFALO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
The Buffalo Museum of Science in Buffalo, New York, is celebrating the redevelopment of its Kellogg Observatory. Part of the museum’s history for close to a century, the observatory – along with its Lundin telescope and rooftop area – has undergone extensive restoration work. Opened in 1930, the observatory closed in 1999 due to the need for repairs. It also featured outdated equipment and offered limited accessibility to visitors. HHL Architects was appointed architect partner for the project, with Picone acting as construction contractor. As part of its restoration, the observatory’s 90-year-old telescope has been fully restored, with the object sitting under a new aluminised steel dome. The redeveloped roof deck and dome pier are also now available for all museum guests. “The Kellogg Observatory and its iconic silhouette have been dormant for almost two decades, and we’re thrilled to now open the skies to a new generation of explorers,” said Marisa Wigglesworth, president and CEO of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences.
■■The observatory reopens to the public for the first time in nearly two decades “Not only does the Kellogg Observatory provide a unique science learning destination for local and regional stargazers, but it solidifies the Buffalo Museum of Science’s place as a leading resource for astronomy for our region.”
In addition to its physical transformation, the museum has also undergone a rebranding, introducing a new logo and tag line – “Find Why” – which will be rooted in the idea of asking ‘why?’ to science. ■■Details: http://lei.sr?a=F3H7J_T
Science Museum urged to end fossil fuel deal
China and Unesco to promote science Unesco has reached an agreement with science museums in China to promote the exchange and sharing of science resources between them and other institutions across the world. Signed at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the agreement will promote cooperation between the Chinese Association of Natural Science Museums and the museums of Unesco member states. ■■Details: http://lei.sr?a=e9W4y_T
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PHOTO: CULTUrE UNSTAINEd
■■The deal will benefit Unesco members
A collection of nearly 50 scientists has urged the London Science Museum to end three oil company partnerships, with the collective arguing the sponsorships are “undermining” the museum as a scientific institution. Called Culture Unstained, the activist collective includes signatories such as broadcaster Chris Packham and writer Sir Jonathon Porritt, with the group urging the Science Museum to drop deals with fossil fuel companies BP, Shell and Equinor. Having obtained internal reports through Freedom of Information requests, the group says the museum approved sponsorship deals with these companies despite being
■■The group wants the museum to abandon oil sponsorship aware they are involved in alleged “corruption, pollution and links to human rights violations”. “To accept sponsorship from an industry that has worked to cast doubt on climate science undermines the scientific community’s clear message that climate
change is real and urgent,” said professor Naomi Oreskes, one of the signatories. “Partnerships like these risk damaging the public’s trust in scientific institutions while legitimising the anti-scientific activities of fossil fuel companies.” ■■Details: http://lei.sr?a=e4Y3k_T AM 3 2018 ©Cybertrek 2018