Georgia Museums will open the Tellus science museum to the public on 10 January 2009.

Located in Cartersville, Georgia, US, the US$12m museum has been built on the site of the former Weinman Mineral Museum, from which artifacts have been incorporated into the new facility.

Facilities at the museum will include a 120-seat, high definition planetarium; a 200-seat theatre space; temporary exhibit galleries; a Fossil Gallery showcasing a 40ft Tyrannosaurus rex; a Transportation Gallery, charting the major developments in science and technology related to travel; and a large mineral gallery based on the exhibits from the former Weinman site.

There will also be wide range of science exhibits designed for children, introducing concepts from the physical sciences and biology through "backyard" science experiences.

The museum has been developed by the Miami, US-based Bergman Group and designed by John White of Inox Design.

Tellus will be operated by Georgia Museums, a public charity. The charity also operates the Booth Western Art Museum and the Bartow History Center.