Since opening in 1996, the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater has transported audiences to remote locations on Earth and also taken them on thrilling trips to outer space. Now ‘Star Trek: The IMAX Experience’ and ‘African Adventure 3D’ will once again take them where few have gone before. Both new films will “beam onto” the enormous six-story screen for the first time on Friday, July 3, joining ‘Under the Sea 3D’ to add more sizzle to the summer fun in downtown Chattanooga.

Watery World Surrounded by Desert
'African Adventure 3D’ takes audiences to the distant and inaccessible Okavango Delta, one of the most unique wilderness areas in the world. The Delta, created by the flood waters of the Okavango, is so large it can be spotted from deep space like a giant hand, bringing relief to this desolate region.

Little-known to the outside world until a few decades ago, this secluded 20,000 square km maze of lagoons, channels and islands forms one of the most beautiful and pristine wildlife reserves on Earth.

This unique photo safari in the flooded desert is led by South African zoologist Liesl Eichenberger, who joins world-renowned wildlife filmmaker Tim Liversedge, to capture stunning 3D images of a great variety of big-game animals. Audiences will get “up close and personal” with crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and lions.

The Okavango Delta is also home to one of the largest bird concentrations on the planet, so people will marvel at the huge flocks of exotic birds that swirl past their faces in 3D.

Phasers Set on Stunning
Movie fans won’t have to be Trekkies to appreciate the stunning special effects and action of ‘Star Trek’ on the giant IMAX screen through the end of July. This incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise leaps to life on the six-story screen.

Join a young, thrill-seeking James T. Kirk as he encounters a youthful Spock at Star Fleet Academy. Both turn out to be highly competitive cadets-in-training, each one seeking out who they are and what they have to give to the world. They find out after being selected to join the crew of the most advanced starship ever created, the U.S.S. Enterprise.

Kirk and Spock come face-to-face with an undeniable destiny, the need to forge an unlikely but powerful partnership, enabling them to lead their crew to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Dress as your favorite ‘Star Trek’ crew member and be rewarded with a free medium popcorn.

Alien Creatures in Our Midst
Another new IMAX offering from the producers of ‘Into the Deep 3D’ and ‘Deep Sea 3D’, ‘Under the Sea 3D’, takes audiences to some of the most exotic and remote underwater locations ever known. Here the bright-blue waters are filled with amazingly colorful animals and even animals that rapidly change colors.

The film tells the stories of alien-looking creatures such as the flamboyant cuttlefish, leafy sea dragon and crown jellyfish.

Narrated by comedic actor Jim Carey, ‘Under the Sea 3D’ is a perfect blend of spectacular underwater beauty and a few light-hearted moments surrounding a coral reef community.

Many of the featured animals in ‘Under the Sea 3D’ also live long and prosper across the street at the Tennessee Aquarium.

Showtimes: July 3 to July 30:

African Adventure 3D – 40 minutes
Daily: 12 Noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m.

Under the Sea 3D – 45 minutes
Daily: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m.

Star Trek: The IMAX Experience – two hours
Sunday through Thursday: 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 7 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.