New OMNIMAX Film Adventure Captures One of the Longest Migrations on Earth and the Inspiring True Story of One Scientist’s Stunning Discovery
CINCINNATI – From outer space to the heart of the tornado, and the Arctic Circle to the great coral reefs, our OMNIMAX films take you to places you might never get the chance to go, and this time is no different! Opening Feb. 14, Flight of the Butterflies is an awe-inspiring tale of extraordinary insect endurance and human perseverance.
Follow the true story of Dr. Fred Urquhart, a man fascinated with monarch butterflies since his youth, on a 40-year search to discover where the butterflies mysteriously disappeared to in the winter. Along with his wife Norah, he founded the Insect Migration Association, enlisting thousands of volunteers across North America know as “citizen scientists” to tag hundreds of thousands of butterflies to track their migration route. This association ultimately helped Dr. Urquhart discover in 1975, millions of butterflies in the breathtaking hidden sanctuaries set 10,000 feet high in the mountains of the Transvolcanic Belt of central Mexico.
This interconnected scientific adventure not only spans thousands of miles, but generations. We also follow the journey the monarch as it makes one of the longest migrations on Earth across a continent. As the film illustrates, it takes two to three generations of butterflies to migrate north from Mexico through the U.S. to Canada and one “super generation” to complete the migration back south to Mexico. Then, the cycle begins again. Experience this journey up close and see the evolution from egg to caterpillar to pupa to butterfly captured for the first time thanks to MRI and micro CT scans.
Unfortunately, it’s not all green grass and sunny skies for the monarchs. Monarch numbers are declining, partly due to the loss of necessary milkweed habitat. Milkweed provides a home and essential food for monarch caterpillars, and without these plants the monarchs cannot survive. But you can help save them! Join us as we rally to collect 2,500 (the number of miles the monarch travels from Canada to Mexico) pledges to plant milkweed for the monarchs. Follow @CincyMuseum #MonarchMania on Twitter for upcoming milkweed seed give-a-ways and to learn more about how to help.
Visit cincymuseum.org for show times and to reserve your tickets today.
PRICING
Members: Adult $5.50, child $4.50
Non-Members: Adult $7.50, seniors (Ages 60+) $6.50, children (Ages 3 – 12) $5.50