History of the Planetarium

1963:  First show presented during November 1963.   Gordon Dixon was the first planetarium director.

1973:  About 87,000 persons attended first decade of shows.  75 special effects and 10 panoramic projectors in use.

1979:  Zoom projector installed for new special effects.

1982:  Sixty panoramic projectors installed.

1983:  New $87,000 Spitz star projector installed.

1984:  Second Zoom projector installed.

1991:  Video Projector installed.

2000:  Major upgrade.  New panoramic projectors, zoom projectors, slew mirrors, all sky projectors, and Barco data/video projector installed.  System computerized to increase ease of use.

2001:  Hired students for the first time to operate planetarium.  Increased availability of shows.

2008: Slide projectors replaced with a new digital system.