For decades, the National Planetarium has become a place to explore and appreciate art, science and space, especially for the kids. The iconic dome building, located in Rizal Park, is one of the signature itineraries for school field trips of elementary school levels. However, as all good things must come to an end, the National Planetarium is set for decommissioning.

The National Planetarium on Tuesday, October 13, announced that they will be temporarily shutting down its operations to rebuild it for the new contemporary world. The closure will give way to the development of the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) as well as renovation plans for certain sections of the park.

In the spirit of the National Museums and Galleries Month this October, we relive some of the things that we’ll miss at the National Planetarium.

The Galactic Shows

With its convenient architecture, the National Planetarium is able to create a 360-degree view of a picture or film through a special projector. The virtual reality-like experience, also called “The Galactic Shows,” turns the dome-like theater into a spectacular space filled with astronomical knowledge about Philippine ethnolinguistic groups, highlighting the efforts of Filipino scientists to modern astronomy. Its lineup includes “A Planet for Goldilocks,” “Hayabusa: Back to the Earth,” and “Journey to a Billion Suns.”

The Planetarium Gallery

From paintings of astronomical myths to scenic representations of the solar system, different constellations and renowned astronomists, the Planetarium Gallery is a haven for astrophiles. One of its major galleries, the “Filipino Life Guided by Skies” gallery, features modern astronomy and displays ethnoastronomy practices done by our Filipino cultural communities. The six sections of the latter are as follows: The Cosmic Timeline, Cultural Astronomy, Philippine Night Sky, Time Reckoning, Farming and Hunting, and Seafaring and Navigation.

The galleries and shows in the planetarium can pique the interest of young people in pursuing science. This may also bring an unexplained sense of joy as you make your way around the gallery not just for kids but also for adults.There’s no doubt that people who have visited the planetarium will also miss these fleeting moments.

A place like the National Planetarium brings great importance in raising awareness and pride in our country’s culture. As its closure takes place, some people might feel nostalgic for the old ambiance. But as the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens. We’ve yet to know the upcoming features, but we sure are excited for the developments that it may offer.

Source: https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/our-museums/national-planetarium/

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofthephilippines/