Friends of the Austin Planetarium

A Planetarium Explained

Welcome

Wonders of the night sky become ours in many ways. We study them in drawings, on photographic images, star maps and on our computers. But the most enchanting means of acquainting ourselves is a visit to the planetarium. Here, the night is always balmy, the horizon unobscured and the skies cloudless and darker than you would ever find in the city. Projected on the dome of the planetarium, the heavens are accessible as they could not be outdoors. Wheeling around us as time is artificially sped up, they demonstrate the rotation of our planet. Constellations are easier to learn when superimposed with their images, sometimes as construed from a variety of cultural interpretations. Seats beneath us become magic carpets as we rocket to the planets for a closer look. Through technology, we see as if from our own backyard or through a telescope.

What is a Planetarium?

A planetarium is a building housing an instrument for projecting images of the stars, constellations, planets and other astronomical phenomena onto a domed ceiling. The planetarium uses a projector to provide a high fidelity simulation of the night sky from any location on earth or the heavens, and at any point in time.

Unlike an observatory, which houses telescopes and needs clear skies to view the night sky, the planetarium brings the night sky inside and is independent of time of day and weather. In an observatory, you would step up to the telescope the view an object, as opposed to sitting in comfort in a theater seat to view a planetarium show.

The Austin Planetarium

The Austin Planetarium will become a place of wonder and dreams, where adults can ponder their place in the universe and a student's passion for science will be born. But the Austin planetarium will also be a place where patrons can question and explore, finding answers to all their astronomy and space related questions. The planetarium will display a clear simulation of the night sky in the comfort of a domed theatre. From their seats, visitors will be transported through the solar system to far away galaxies. Engaging programs will blend scientific knowledge, philosophy and imagination.

Aside from serving the general public and elementary through high school students, this facility would provide a laboratory environment to support college and university level studies, as well as advanced secondary education. Additionally, the planetarium facility could be made available on a rental basis to clubs or community service organizations.

Weather permitting, learning can be reinforced as the audience steps outside to the room with a real view-as seen through a telescope, whether showing off sunspots or nighttime objects-giving students a reason to bring the entire family back to share the astronomical experience. As an education center, the Austin Planetarium will enrich our community by bringing astronomy and other related sciences to a wide and ever-growing audience.

Facility Description

Approximately 28,000 square feet
Planetarium theater with 50 ft. projection dome and seating capacity of 200+, featuring state-of-the-art projection systems
Challenger Learning Center comprised of Mission Control and the Space Station
Interpretive Center plus two lab/classrooms
Natural Sciences exhibit areas
Gift shop will feature astronomy, space sciences, and nature items
A second-level observing deck will provide access to 8-10 telescopes with remote relay to a lower-level video interpretive area seating an additional 60 people. Interpretive viewing will extend the observing experience to mobility-impaired individuals. Direct observation through telescopes will engage young minds and bring the heavens into a more immediate experience.

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