Jun 20, 04 | 1:25 pm

Dr. Robert Ballard, discoverer of the R.M.S. Titanic, is going back into the Abyss to revisit the Titanic and it will be broadcast live at Ripley342200231s Aquarium of the Smokies. Through satellite and internet technology, Immersion Project342200231s Titanic Live!, will allow viewers to 342200234accompany342200235 Ballard on his return expedition through a groundbreaking two-way, virtual experience of the historic mission. Viewers will also get a chance to see a portion of the production of the National Geographic Channel342200231s television event, 342200234Return to Titanic,342200235 scheduled for broadcast on Monday, June 7, 2004.

Taking place from June 4 - 9, Titanic Live! will feature this rare opportunity in four live 342200234shows342200235 per day, via two-way satellite transmission from the ship to Ripley342200231s Aquarium of the Smokies, one of only 10 locations around the world. The public is invited to join in the only location in the Southeastern United States of the expedition at Ripley342200231s Aquarium of the Smokies.

Dr. Ballard originally discovered the ill-fated Titanic in 1985, 73 years after it hit an iceberg and sank in 12,500 feet of water, settling in the Abyss. That discovery led to the birth of the JASON Project, a formal science and education program also participating in the mission. Now Dr. Ballard is returning with a team of researchers to assess the amount of natural and man-made damage to the wreck of the Titanic since he discovered it. 342200234The guests taking part in the Immersion Project at Ripley342200231s Aquarium will have a front row seat to the expedition as it unfolds. They342200231ll have a rare opportunity to watch real scientific exploration as it342200231s happening, including live video from both the ship and the research vehicles underwater as they assess the state of Titanic and all that has happened in the nearly 20 years since her discovery,342200235 said Ballard. 342200234The Immersion Project creates access usually reserved for a few very lucky scientists and explorers. I have always believed it possible to inspire kids in science if you just let them in. We are making that happen with this mission, and I am fulfilling a vision I set out over 20 years ago.342200235

342200234We are offering people a first-hand experience in marine science, as we uncover the mysteries of Titanic and her deterioration,342200235 said Steve File, General Manager of Ripley342200231 s Aquarium. 342200234Not only will some be able to question Dr. Ballard and other expedition scientists about what they342200231re seeing, but they will also be encouraged to form their own conclusions based on what the research team342200231s survey, mapping and tests show about the causes of the Titanic342200231s disintegration,342200235 File added. 342200234This will truly be a once in a lifetime experience.342200235

The Immersion Project342200231s Live! transmissions from an expedition began last summer with Dr. Ballard342200231s Expedition in 2003 to the Black Sea. Live shows are planned for all future expeditions and are an integral part of the Immersion Project342200231s Live! program.

Ripley342200231s Aquarium of the Smokies, Gatlinburg TN
Ripley342200231s Aquarium of the Smokies will be broadcasting Titanic Live! four times daily beginning on Friday, June 4th, and ending on Wednesday, June 9th. Show times for the public will be daily at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM.

New for 2004, Ripley342200231s Aquarium of the Smokies is proud to feature our new exhibition, 342200234The Abyss, Life 7 Miles Down.342200235 Ever wonder what is on the bottom of the ocean? The Abyssopelagic Zone, better know as the ABYSS, comes from the Greek meaning 342200234no bottom,342200235 and refers to the ancient belief that the ocean was bottomless. The Abyss is the final resting place for the R.M.S. Titanic. This original, limited time exhibition features more than 40 incredible interactive exhibits, demonstrations, scale models, hands-on experiences, live marine animals and an opportunity to explore the history and the science behind man342200231s progression in deep water exploration.

Ripley342200231s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg Tennessee is one of the most visited aquariums in the United States. Annually over 1.5 million guests are entertained by some of the world342200231s most beautiful, fascinating and dangerous aquatic life. With 1.4 million gallons of salt-water, Ripley342200231s Aquarium is home to over 8000 exotic sea creatures. In Shark Lagoon, visitors are surrounded on all sides by 11 foot sharks and a wide array of beautiful sea life as they travel through a 750,000 gallon tank in the world342200231s longest underwater aquarium tunnel on a moving glide path. Other spectacular features at Ripley342200231s Aquarium include Sting Ray Bay, highlighting a variety of rays and sharks from multiple viewing levels and Touch-A-Ray Bay, where guests may actually touch Sting Rays. Coral Reef342200231s immense acrylic window offers a stunning view of thousands of brilliantly colored Pacific fishes from Hawaii, Australia and the Indian Oceans. Educational presentations and dive shows are scheduled throughout the day and are a part of this amazing aquarium experience. Ripley342200231s Aquarium is open 365 days a year. Regular adult admission is $17.95 plus tax, children 6 to 11 is $9.95 plus tax, children 2 to 5 is $3.95 plus tax and children under 2 are free.

About Ripley Entertainment
Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) has been a global leader in the attraction industry for 75 years. Ripley342200231s currently owns and operates 46 attractions in 10 countries and is growing every day with current sites being considered for expansion in New York, Chicago, Europe and Asia. A member of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada342200231s largest privately owned companies, Ripley342200231s family attractions draw more than 12 million guests per year.

Titanic Titanic Titanic

That sounds like it would have been very fascinating to go to Titanic Titanic Titanic! Thanks for that interesting information! Unfortunately, Oregon is a long way away from Tennessee, so there would have been no way for me to go to this "show," but it's still very neat to read about.

Thanks again! :D

Can i just say, YAY I HAVE MET HIM! lol It sounds very cool, i hate being over here in England, the nearest Titanic place to me is Goldalming and all there is is a memorial :(

Titanic Titanic Titanic, I'm just curious, were you or anyone you know lucky enough to attend this event?

No, I didn't get to go to the event acutally. I'm sure it was great though.