Abu Dhabi opens Science Dome to raise awareness of weather
ABU DHABI FACILITY OFFERS VISITORS A FOUR-DIMENSIONAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH VIDEO SCREENINGS IN 12-METRE DOME
Abrand new facility — the Science Dome — has been opened in Abu Dhabi yesterday to create better awareness of weather phenomena, geophysics and climate change.
Located at the headquarters of the UAE’s national weather bureau — the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) — the facility in Al Shawamekh will offer visitors a four-dimensional immersive experience.
A 12-metre dome will screen interactive videos for young scientists, students and other visitors, including films about the birth of planet Earth, its volcanoes, and the science behind cloud seeding, one of the UAE’s major climate initiatives.
“We are pleased to inaugurate this innovative scientific project. It is part of the NCM’s efforts to employ modern technologies that provide accurate services and information on weather forecasting, cloud seeding operations and other related fields for both specialists and students,” said Dr Abdullah Al Mandous, NCM director and president of the Regional Association II (Asia).
Complex weather system
NCM not only records and disseminates information about the weather in the UAE and the region, but has also carried out vital cloud seeding operations to enhance rainfall in the UAE. Its activities have generated much interest in recent years, and it is this enthusiasm that the Science Dome hopes to build on.
“The UAE has a complex weather system; it is not all just blue skies and hot weather. In fact, there is summer rainfall happening every day, even in the month of July, over the Northern Emirates,” Omar Al Yazeedi, NMC director of research, development and training, told Gulf News.
“We would like to create better understanding of these systems, especially among youth, and seeing the phenomena being depicted in a four-dimensional manner will make it even clearer. In addition, understanding cloud seeding and its role in rain enhancement should also help create awareness about its role in global warming,” he added.
The facility is also connected to two media server solutions that provide real-time atmospheric weather modelling and weather simulations.