Sub-Saharan Africa’s first digital planetarium, established by the University of the Free State (UFS) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Free State Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DEDTEA) and the Mangaung metropolitan municipality (MMM), was officially opened, in Bloemfontein, on Friday.

The planetarium was built on the site of the Boyden Observatory Science Centre, with the old Lamont-Hussey telescope building having been renovated to house the planetarium.

“The planetarium will have significant educational value, attracting the next generation of scientists, but can also be used for the visualisation of complex three-dimensional scientific concepts,” UFS Department of Physics Professor Matie Hoffman said.

Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom commented that the location of the planetarium, on Naval Hill, indicated a fresh approach to South Africa’s science awareness and engagement endeavours.

“This approach integrates science awareness and engagement with tourism. Although there are many other countries whose science centres and related facilities are part of the tourism network, the location of this planetarium in a game reserve adds to its uniqueness.

“The integrated approach offered by this facility will help us increase the participation of members of the general public in science awareness and engagement programmes. The planetarium will offer visitors to the game reserve an opportunity to interact in a very interesting way with earth and space science, as well as life sciences,” Hanekom said.  

The UFS explained that astronomy and the space sciences were the main focus of digital planetariums, which have a constantly updated database with the latest information on the universe.

“The ‘digital universe’ can be projected onto the screen of the digital planetarium with the use of powerful visualisation software. Thus, audiences can be taken on a trip through the cosmos,” the university said.

However, the planetarium also had the ability to display “small worlds”, such as the cell and structure of DNA.

The cost of converting the old telescope building into a planetarium, along with acquiring the required equipment and accessories, amounted to between R13-million and R15-million, which was provided by the DST and the DEDTEA, with the MMM having provided a long-term concession contract for the old observatory, as well as other amenities.

The UFS would be responsible for operating and managing the planetarium and for further fundraising endeavours.

“This planetarium is the first component of a proposed centre for earth and space at the site, which would be constructed as more funding becomes available,” UFS Chancellor Dr Khotso Mokhele said at the opening.

The additional phases of the project were projected to cost an additional R15-million.

Once complete, the centre would be a multipurpose facility hosting the digital planetarium, an environmental education centre and a science and arts garden.

Meanwhile, Mokhele added that the UFS had already received many enquiries about the establishment of the planetarium.

“Our planetarium will, therefore, also become a resource or model for other organisations wishing to establish a similar facility,” he said.

Following the opening of the planetarium, the UFS said training and testing was scheduled to take place before the planetarium would start offering regular shows to the public in 2014.