The Exhibit Museum of Natural History‘s renovated Planetarium, which reopened this month to the public, features a new projection system and a reconfigured room.
The renovation, which was possible after a yearlong fund-raising project, offers features unlike any other planetarium in the region.
One of the most noticeable changes for long-time visitors is the Planetarium room. The original design was rectangular, but also created unusable space. Now, it’s circular with a modernized feel. “The original room was built in 1958 but the renovations have made it a lot nicer looking,” says Matt Linke, Planetarium manager.
The other major modification is the Uniview Digital Projection System. A computer-based system, Uniview allows Planetarium operators to take visitors on a unique journey through time and space. The digital system offers a perspective that previously was not viable with analog technology.
“The new system will present visitors with an experience like they’ve never seen. Before we would have to show slides while traveling to stars or planets, now we can just go,” Linke says.
The Uniview technology also has the capability to link to other planetariums around the world; creating a unique experience for visitors in Ann Arbor.
Visitors also have the opportunity to see real-time details of the Earth and night sky. “With the analog technology, we could get ‘real-time’ images every 15 days, now we can receive them every 24 hours,” Linke says.
The images, which are downloaded directly from NASA, are able to track a variety of real time events on Earth, including climate and light. Beyond Earth, visitors can experience three-dimensional stars and the shadows of Saturn’s rings, something that was impossible with the old technology.
The first shows using the Uniview system, “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity” include a recorded narrative by Academy-Award nominated actor Liam Neeson. Also showing is “Star Talk: The Sky Tonight.” Both run through Dec. 30.
Within the next few months, the planetarium plans to offer enhanced, digital versions of favorites such as “Wonderful Rocket,” “Musical Sky” and “Stories My Ancestors Told.”
For more information on the Exhibit Museum of Natural History’s Planetarium go to www.lsa.umich.edu/exhibitmuseum.
