Edmonton’s Telus World of Science gets starry upgrade
EDMONTON Ladies and gentlemen, Sophie has left the planetarium.
Retired from regular use for almost a decade, the affectionately named Zeiss star projector that once graced centre stage of the Telus World of Science theatre has finally been removed, part of the extensive renovations for the newly-christened Zeidler Dome, opening to the public Friday.
After almost one year of construction, the theatre has been redone with deep-recline seats, a permanent centre stage, and a state-of-the-art 10K projection system.
Planetarium director Frank Florian said Thursday the new technology suite, featuring 12 Sony 4K projectors, offers new opportunities for education.
“Flying around the universe, going to the planets of the solar system, looking at the Earth from space, passing up to the International Space Station ... you can do all that in the dome.”
Florian said other specially designed high-definition videos are being considered for viewing, including one of the coral reef.
More attuned to adult tastes, 17 giant speakers, two subwoofers, a haze machine and a digital laser system are ready for the ever-popular musical laser light shows, the first of which begin Friday evening.
Meanwhile, under the dome, the newly-renovated Stars, Planets, Astronauts, Comets, Etc. (S.P.A.C.E.) Gallery awaits Friday ’s grand opening to trick children into learning through fun.
“It’s not like going to school, it’s not a 3-D textbook,” said director of exhibits Milan Krepelka. “It’s a place where you can try these things out.”
Alongside activities like a lunar landing simulator or a foam rocket launcher, Milan also highlighted the more “contemplative” sections, such as the entranceway planet wall, featuring the scaleddown spheres of the solar system.
The hydraulic lift and storage area that once housed Sophie has also been converted into a small theatre dedicated to a proudly-displayed chunk of moon rock taken from the 1971 Apollo 15 Mission.
The renewal marks the second phase of the Aurora Project, an ambitious $40-million renovation of the Telus World of Science.
“This building was built for that original planetarium but it was 34 years old ... and it was worn out,” said Alan Nursall, the centre’s president. “So now we’re ready for the next 30 years.”