| Illinois State University Planetarium | |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Illinois State University Physics Department Planetarium |
| General information | |
| Location | Normal, Illinois |
| Address | 100 N University St |
| Inaugurated | 1 September 1964 |
Illinois State University Planetarium
editThe Illinois State University Planetarium was founded in 1964. The project was a result of a lot of extra money after an annex was added to Felmely Hall. Around 1960, the chair of the Natural Sciences Department, Bernie Ryder requested for Felmely Hall to be expanded. The annex was built but the school still had a large amount of money left over. Ryder along with physicist Harold Born created a 30-item wish list on what to do with the extra money. The National Science Foundation agreed upon the planetarium and it was opened on September 1, 1964. The planetarium is currently directed by Thomas Willmitch and has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
History
editThe ISU Planetarium was opened on September 1, 1964. The building came about when the school was given a $1.8 grant in 1962 to expand Felmley Hall. This grant was requested by the chair of the Natural Sciences Department, Bernie Ryder. The money was used to build an annex but there was plenty of money left over. However, a planetarium was not exactly what they had in mind at first. Ryder and physicist Harold Born created a 30-item wish list to see what they would do with the money. The planetarium ended up being the last item on the list. The National Science Foundation (NSF) reviewed this list and agreed upon adding a planetarium to the building. In 1964, the planetarium was opened to be used in the science department's astronomy course, for holding adult education courses, for instructing school groups, and occasionally being open to the general public.
The planetarium had no formal staff when they opened. Instead, physics professor Harold Born asked Illinois Wesleyan University astronomer Ray Wilson to help getting the new planetarium working. During that month, Wilson gave many local astronomy club members a sneak peak of the new addition. On October 1, 1964 Wilson was asked to give a show to the rest of the astronomy club. It was here that the long-term relationship between the planetarium and the Twin City Amateur Astronomers. After the establishment of the Physics Department in 1966, they took the planetarium under their wing. Hence the planetarium being known as Illinois State University Physics Department Planetarium.
The planetarium has gone through different leadership throughout the years. Beginning with 1970, Nerrio Calgaro took the role of de facto part-time planetarium director while he was still a physics major at the university. He was later hired as official director and worked from 1971 to 1974. Calgaro was then followed by Patrick McGee from 1974 to 1978. Carl J. Wenning took the role of director from August of 1978 until July 2001. The planetarium is now directed by Thomas Willmitch. A former planetarium director, Willmitch was hired on November 1, 2000 to split the duties between him and the planetariums director at the time Carl J. Wenning. Willmitch was officially named director on July 1, 2001 and continues to hold this position.
Today the planetarium still continues to run successfully, with around 20,000 attendees per year. [1]
Gallery
edit2014-2015 Schedule and Prices
editTimothy Ferris's Galaxies September 5 - November 15 (No shows October 24-25) 7:30 PM Fridays and 2 PM Saturdays
'Tis the Season December 5 - December 20 7:30 PM Fridays and 2 PM Saturdays
Following the Drinking Gourd February 6 - May 2 (No shows March 6-14 and April 3-4) 7:30 PM Fridays and 2 PM Saturdays
Larry Cat in Space
May 20 - July 17
2 PM Wednesdays and 7:30 PM Fridays
Prices
Adults...........................................$4.00
Children (5-12), senior citizens,
Illinois State University students (with ID)...$3.00
Preschoolers(3-4)................................$2.00
Related Links
editISU Planetarium Home Page
Twin City Amateur Astronomers
More information on planetarium's 50th anniversary