Columbia, SC - A major new exhibit on space science and the search for extraterrestrial life will land in South Carolina Feb. 9 as the South Carolina State Museum brings the blockbuster exhibit Aliens: Worlds of Possibilities to the Palmetto State.  Capitalizing on the public's love for science fiction and researchers' quest to discover life elsewhere in the universe, this extraordinary exhibit focuses on the solar system and introduces visitors to the basic physical characteristics of the planets.  It also investigates the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe and takes a look at what some otherworldly creatures might be like.

"The vastness of space causes people to wonder if life exists beyond our planet," said Curator of Science and Technology Tom Falvey.  "This exhibit highlights the tools and technology scientists use to search for life on planets, orbiting distant stars, and speculates on what forms that life might take.

"This exhibit will be a lot of fun for young and old, but it's also packed with great science education, so we expect it to be a hit with many school groups.  The exhibit features large dioramas with animatronic creatures and one unusual Earth life form, as well as more than 20 interactive exhibit stations.

Museum guests can ponder what kinds of life forms might live in the harsh conditions found on other planets; decide whether UFOs are real based on the evidence; see a model of the solar system which provides a view of the planets in relative size; and visit the alien creature Hairy Sandwalker on his "home turf" and see how this interesting creature has adapted to his surroundings.

In addition, the exhibit demonstrates how much guests would weigh on other planets with different gravitational pulls than Earth, and how many Earths would fit into Jupiter, the largest planet, as well as how many Jupiters would fit inside the sun.