The new planetarium in Halle is almost ready. What is still missing is the installation of the complex technology. The imposing building is scheduled to open in early 2023. Up to 60,000 visitors are expected each year.
Halle (dpa/sa) – The Halle Planetarium in a historic round building made of reddish clinker brick will open in the first quarter of 2023. “50,000 to 60,000 visitors are expected each year,” said director Dirk Schlesier. “The media technology is currently being installed, which is very complex. And the observatory on the roof still has to be installed.”
The foundation stone was laid on January 21, 2019. The money for the construction costs of 21 million euros comes exclusively from the flood agent fund of the federal and state governments. The shell is a technical monument, it was once a gasometer. The dimensions are impressive for a planetarium: 16 meters high and 30 meters in diameter.
The centerpiece is the star hall with a diameter of 12 meters and space for 110 people, plus a lecture hall and seminar rooms as well as a foyer and a café. Other rooms house the multimedia technology.
In general, modern technology offers greater possibilities for display: the respective image of the starry sky can be transmitted digitally from the telescope to the room of the planetarium. “With video projectors, 360-degree displays and 3-D flights to the stars are now possible,” said Schlesier. The technology also allows images of places on earth from a certain angle. This could be used to illustrate climate change, for example.
Schlesier announced a colorful mix at the opening to show what the technology of the planetarium could do. “We want to offer scientific events and also music,” said the director. Smaller concerts as well as readings and film screenings are possible in the building under the starry dome.
In general, the program in Saxony-Anhalt’s largest planetarium should be balanced. In the mornings there are events for schools and day-care centers, from the middle of the week and on weekends the topics on the cosmos and astronomy are dedicated to the public.
But even before the opening of the planetarium, many events are already running. “Once a quarter, always at the change of season, we organize the Hallesche Sternstunden,” said Schlesier. “In addition, we are with our events at the schools.”
Likewise, observations for interested parties would be offered on the market place at irregular intervals, depending on the weather. “Just looking at the moon through a big telescope is very popular with people,” said the head of the planetarium. There are two astro clubs for children and young people between the ages of 5 and 18. “There is a lot of interest, especially since astronomy is also a school subject in Saxony-Anhalt,” said Schlesier.
The new building of the planetarium is considered to be a replacement for the space flight planetarium on the Peißnitz island that was severely damaged nine years ago by the flooding of the Saale and was later demolished.
