Travel: Getting to Grips With the Planet
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SOME OF the most prominent Millennium Projects are concerned with understanding the Earth, and the Universe. Each one in this selection is given a parallel from the world of television to help you get a better idea of what they're on about: if the Earth Centre, left, were a TV programme, it would be The Good Life. You get the picture.
National Space Science Centre: This space odyssey in Leicester opens in February 2001. "The design of the building will make imaginative use of an imaginative site and will include a tower which will house real rockets." One of the components is imaginatively called the Millennium Dome. If it were a TV programme, the NSSC would be Star Trek. More details: 0116-285 6734, nssc.star.le.ac
International Centre for Life: Newcastle-upon-Tyne becomes home to "a totally new way of looking at life" in April 2000, incorporating a motion simulator, virtual reality and live theatre. If it were a TV programme, it would be Blake's 7. Contact: 0191-261 6006 or www.life-secret.co.uk
The National Discovery Centre: "The concept is built around the rapid growth in IT, broadcasting and multimedia, linked with public discovery." The centrepiece of this Liverpool attraction is a Space Time Machine, intended to educate and entertain on the history of time. If it keeps to time, the place will open in December 2001. If it were a TV programme, it would be Doctor Who. More details: 0151-709 6271.
The Eden Project: "A world-class landmark project that will demonstrate and explore the relationship between plants and humans" and, from April 2000, will handily occupy a worked-out clay-pit near St Austell, Cornwall. Four distinct environments - desert, rainforest, Mediterranean and temperate - will feature appropriate fauna. If it were a TV programme, it would be Gardeners' World. Call 01726 222 900, or www.edenproject.com
Discovery Centre: "The Midlands' project to celebrate the year 2001 and beyond", assuming it opens on schedule in autumn of that year. In Birmingham, Nicholas Grimshaw is designing a flagship building for the manufacturing heart of the country. Science and technology combine with the region's industrial heritage; pounds 50m is being spent in rejuvenating the dismal Digbeth area, to be known henceforth as Millennium Point (which you may have thought was in Greenwich). If it were a TV programme, it would be Tomorrow's World (which just happens to be one of the exhibits). Call 0121-303 2983.
Dynamic Earth: Opening on 3 July 1999 opposite the new Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. It promises "90 minutes of thrilling entertainment with cutting-edge scientific thinking... Visitors will experience the thrill of travelling back in time and feeling the `Restless Earth' volcano erupting beneath their feet". If it were a TV programme, it would be The Restless Earth. Call 0131-550 7800, www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments