Abstract: Planetariums can now take audiences on live and unique explorations of our Universe, aided by the latest data and the ability to travel to any point in space. Within hours of a discovery, talented presenters can be creating animations and cueing up wonders. One of the leading theaters in live ‘just in time’ presentation is the 248 seat Intuitive Planetarium at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. Its full dome immersive video system is an incredible tool for inspiration and education.
In the same city is another planetarium founded in 1967 by Dr Werner Von Braun and the Rocket City Astronomical Association. With an engineering mock-up of a second stage Saturn V liquid hydrogen fuel tank for a dome, this vintage 80 seat theater with its 1970’s manual star projector and limited additional technology still sells out its single weekly show. In this short presentation, we describe how the vintage, authentic and live nature of this 100% volunteer run facility can continue to have an important role in generating a connection between people and their environment with its Earth-bound ‘simulations’, even as its neighbor takes visitors to the edge of the Universe and back.
