Satellite Shoot down and Lunar Eclipse: Action in the Sky Tonight

I found out about “Bodies: The Exhibition” last week when I saw a report on ABC. Apparently, this is not the first time that exhibits similar to this one tour the US. Shows like this one have been pretty successful in the past, bringing more than 16 million visitors in 27 cities in Asia, Europe, Los Angeles and other US cities. I was excited to find out that “Bodies: The Exhibition” is showing right now about an hour away from where I live. I’ll be going next weekend.

Picture #1: The Football Player

The images I’ve found online are truly amazing. By the way the bodies are posed, it looks to me more like an art exhibition than anything else, which I think probably makes it a much more approachable experience. The exhibition is publicized as an educational event:

“This exhibition will provide the public with an opportunity to see inside carefully preserved anatomical specimens and learn the detailed structure and function of the human body. In this process, human tissue is permanently preserved using liquid silicone rubber that is treated and hardened.”

Picture #2: Cut in Half

For years, we have been able to watch and learn about the rest of the world’s species; hundreds of museums around the globe display specimens of animals, plants, and historical documents and what not. Finally, we are the ones on display.

Picture #3: Pregnant Woman

This, as to be expected has caused some controversy. “Bodies: The Exhibition” claims that the bodies of their exhibition are obtained through a legal, willed body donation program.

Picture #4: Cut in Half 2

Some people are questioning that this is actually true, arguing that several of these bodies might have been illegally obtained through the Chinese government. I really hope that this is not true. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to seeing the exhibition and I am considering bringing my 3 year old daughter with me (any advise on this from the people that have seen it?).

Picture #5: Babies

A summary of the Polymer Preservation process:
A body is dehydrated by submersing it in acetone. Then, it is placed in a solution that consists of a mixture of liquid silicone polymer and crosslinker.

Picture #6: Holding his own skin

After this, the specimen is placed into a vacuum chamber where it is subjected to a gradual increase in vacuum pressure that produces a specimen that is now completely impregnated with liquid silicone even down to the cellular level.

Picture #7: Skateboarder

Finally, the body must be cured to allow for its permanent display. The end product is a dry, odorless body that resists decomposition (sounds like a pretty potent deodorant) thus allowing its user to create a unique collection of permanently preserved human specimen for public exhibition.

Picture #8: Guts

Picture #9: Face

Bodies can then be displayed without formaldehyde or glass containers, so visitors can come within inches of exposed organs.

Picture #10: Full Body

If you’re in any of these areas: Hartford, CT, Sarasota, FL, Kansas City, Sacramento, CA or Redding, CA, check out the