Wet, weird and wonderful
Twenty-first century animation technology is offering a state-of-the-art glimpse at how some of the earth's oldest and weirdest-looking sea creatures lived their lives millions of years ago.
The ancient, underwater creatures are being brought back to life in a fascinating Omnimax Show now on at the Hong Kong Space Museum.
Sea Rex: Journey to a Prehistoric World offers a window into the oceans of 200 million years ago.
The show examines the reptilian creatures of the Mesozoic era, and brings audiences into contact with the grotesque ancient inhabitants of the deepest oceans.
The Mesozoic era is also called the Age of Reptiles. The Chicxulub impact - thought to be the result of a giant asteroid hitting the earth - ended the period as most species on earth died out.
There were once three groups among the marine reptiles that ruled the underwater world, one after the other, during the Mesozoic era.
They were the ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and mosasaurs.
Ichthyosaurs, an example being the Ophthalmosaurus, had huge eyes that could withstand extreme water pressure, and they were able to easily make out their prey in the darkness.
Plesiosaurs, such as the Elasmosaurus and the Liopleurodon, had four strong limbs and lived in solitude. They were among the most ferocious predators in the oceans in their time.
Mosasaurs, such as the Prognathodon, looked like giant sea lizards. They swam by undulating like a snake and were believed to be more ferocious than sharks.
The film features animals from all three of these amazing groups. To help audiences gain a better understanding of past marine creatures, other grotesque marine animals, including Ammonites, molluscs that moved by squirting water from their bodies; and the Shonisaurus, the largest marine reptile ever, will also be featured.
The 41-minute Sea Rex: Journey to a Prehistoric World will be screened at the Hong Kong Space Museum until February 29 next year. Meanwhile, in Astronomyths, audiences can go on a stellar journey through the ages, weaving together Greek mythology and scientific discoveries, while imparting wisdom about the autumn sky.
Times
Venue Hong Kong Space Museum, Stanley Ho Space Theatre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Daily show schedule (Closed on Tuesdays except public holidays)
Astronomyths 2.40pm and 6.10pm
Extra screenings at 11.10am on Sundays and public holidays
Sea Rex 1.30pm, 5pm and 8.30pm
Tickets HK$24 (front stalls), HK$32 (stalls). Half-price concession applicable to full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens aged 60 or above. (Tickets available at the Hong Kong Space Museum Box Office and at all URBTIX outlets.)
Inquiries 2721 0226
