Macao gets new science center

MACAO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- With the unveiling of a special exhibition that showcased ancient Chinese science and technology, the Macao Science Center opened its doors to the public on Monday.

Designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei and the Pei Partnership Architects, and funded by the government of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Science Center, consisting of a 5,800-square-meter exhibition area, a planetarium and a conference center, is part of the SAR government's efforts to promote popular science education in Macao.

Upon the Center's opening, the Ancient Chinese Science and Technology Exhibition was also unveiled in the Center's exhibition area, which was co-organized by the Chinese Science and Technology Museum and Macao Science Center.

Selected artifacts from 10 classic scientific and technological inventions in ancient China, including astronomy, compass, gunpowder and weapons, bronze, paper-making, printing and mechanics were exhibited at the Center. The exhibition will last from Jan. 25 to June.

Aside from the exhibitions, the Science center also offers a Planetarium equipped with a tilted semi-dome screen nearly 15 meters in diameter and supported by high resolution three- dimensional digital projectors, where audiences can enjoy their journey traveling into space.