The Ulverstone Planetarium at Hive is preparing to celebrate the centenary of the world’s first official public planetarium show, which took place on 7 May 1925 at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany.
Dr Martin George, Principal Astronomer at the Ulverstone Planetarium, has worked in the planetarium industry for over 40 years. He often reflects on the changes that have occurred both during his lifetime and since the first planetarium projector, made by the Carl Zeiss company, was built in 1923.
“We have seen wonderful steps forward over the past century,” said Dr George. “Not only have projection methods improved, but astronomers have made some remarkable discoveries, many of which have become topics of — and within — planetarium shows,” he
added.
The Ulverstone Planetarium will celebrate the anniversary in three ways.
On the evening of Tuesday 6 May at 7.00 pm, Dr George will present a free illustrated public talk at the Gnomon Room in Ulverstone, titled A Century of Planetariums and Astronomy, which will highlight some of the major advances for both planetarium visitors and astronomers.
On the morning of 7 May, from 8.00 am to 10.00 am, Dr George will be at Seventy Acres Café at Hive, available to chat with visitors about astronomy and planetariums.
Also on 7 May, two additional planetarium shows will be held at 10.30 am and noon, alongside the regular public show at 2.00 pm. During each session, Dr George will display special images on the planetarium dome celebrating the past century of achievements.
Bookings are required for all three events and can be made via the Hive website at www.hivetasmania.com.au/whatson