The Manitoba Museum’s Planetarium officially reopened today after an extensive overhaul.
The Planetarium is the first in Canada to offer visitors the Digistar 5 Projection Technology. The entire dome can now be used to project video images that range from distant planets to microscopic cells.
The new $381,700 projection system will dramatically enhance the visitor experience using two wide-angle video projectors to cover the entire dome with a single seamless video image.
“This is a small step for our museum, but a giant leap for our visitors,” said Claudette Leclerc, CEO of the Manitoba Museum. “The Planetarium that inspired Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk to pursue his passion for astronomy will now inspire many more to seek higher learning not only in astronomy but in a variety of critical fields for our future: aerospace, biology and natural sciences. The star theatre is now a true multimedia facility, and we look forward to exploring all the programming possibilities that this enhancement will bring to the benefit of all Manitobans.”
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and Winnipeg South MP Rod Bruinooge appeared at the reopening Thursday afternoon at the museum, located on the lower concourse of 190 Rupert Avenue.
The federal government contributed $175,000 for the upgrades, while the provincial government provided a $150,000 grant. The museum used $50,000 from its own operating budget, while the province’s Heritage Grants Advisory Council also contributed $6,700.
It’s the biggest improvement the Planetarium has made in its 42-year history.
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