How To: See the wonders of the Galapagos without the long boat trip

Museum of Science film captures wonders of island chain "Galapagos" follows marine biologist Dr. Carole Baldwin from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History on an eight-week journey that is part scientific expedition and part adventure. The large-format film shows at the Museum of Science's Mugar Omni Theater through April 27. Be a virtual explorer Filmed on land and under the ocean surface, "Galapagos" explores this 19-island archipelago alongside Dr. Baldwin and her team of researchers as they study the same shores that captivated Charles Darwin 160 years earlier. Viewers will follow Dr. Baldwin as she swims alongside familiar species such as hammerhead sharks and moray eels, but will also be virtual witnesses as she discovers other species never before seen by man. Throughout a two-month period, Dr. Baldwin and her colleagues completed over 30 dives and discovered numerous new species of fish and echinoderms including a pencil urchin, a gastropod mollusk and a sun star, just to name a few. Go deeper than ever before With the help of the Johnson Sea Link II, a modern research submersible, Dr. Baldwin's team was able to dive to depths of up to 3,000 feet, getting deeper into the darkest waters of the Galapagos than ever before. Narrated by Academy Award nominee Kenneth Branagh, "Galapagos" will run in conjunction with Darwin, a new exhibit at the Museum of Science. A companion to "Darwin" "Darwin" explores the life, writings and research of this original thinker, geologist, botanist and naturalist. The exhibit pays close attention to his theory of evolution and even features live animals including Galapagos tortoises, an iguana and horned frogs from South America as well as actual fossils collected by Charles Darwin, and the magnifying glass he used to study them. Tickets, directions, etc. The Museum of Science is located in Science Park, Boston. Mugar Omni Theater admission: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors (60+) and $7 for children (3-11). Evening Omni Discounts are available after 6 p.m.: $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors and $4.50 for children. Admission to the Darwin exhibit is included with regular Exhibit Halls admission: $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $13 for children. For more information, including directions to the museum, visit www.mos.org.