This spectacular project transforms the Hayden Planetarium for the 21st century and creates and international center for the study of both astronomy and earth sciences. In the new Planetarium/Hall of the Universe, encompassing approximately 10,000 square feet of exhibition space, visitors are introduced to the grand story of the formation of the universe, its scale and components, and our place within it. The Planetarium and its space show, Scales and the Universe exhibits, Big Bang Theater, Spiral through Cosmic Evolution, and finally, Hall of the Universe (with its focus on the evolution of the universe, galaxies, stars, and planets) provide visitors with an instantly renewable database of up-to-the minute science.