N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences to open 3D theater

The new WRAL 3D Theater will open Oct. 29 and feature the movie "Tornado Alley."

Posted 12:40 a.m. Oct 21, 2011 — Updated 12:40 a.m. Oct 21, 2011

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Big changes are ahead for the theater at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh.

The museum has installed a 3D projector, converting its auditorium into the WRAL 3D Theater (with support from WRAL and Capitol Broadcasting Company, which Go Ask Mom is a part of).

The new 3D theater will open Oct. 29 with the movie "Tornado Alley." The movie documents two missions to witness the birth of a tornado - filmmaker Sean Casey's own quest to capture the event on camera and a team of VORTEX2 scientists who surround tornadoes to gather the most comprehensive severe weather data ever collected. "This science adventure reveals the beauty and the power of some of our planet’s most extreme — and least understood — weather phenomena," according to a release about the film.

The theater's opening includes visits from Casey and VORTEX2 scientist Karen Kosiba, along with up close looks at the Tornado Intercept Vehicle and the Doppler on Wheels, which are featured in the movie.

Admission to the natural sciences museum is free, but there is a charge for the movie. Tickets are $4 for adults; $3.50 for seniors age 65 and up, students and military; and $3 for kids ages 2 to 11. Movie show times will be at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, you can catch it at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. It opens Oct. 29.

You'll be able to purchase same day tickets at the museum box office. "Tornado Alley" will run through early 2012.

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