Only three months until blast off for new planetarium

There are only three months left until the brand new planetarium is set to open at Sherwood Observatory.

Work is on track to be completed by the end of November, with the dome now ready to be transformed into the planetarium which will transport visitors out of this world.

Work is now due to start on the internal areas with a specialist planetarium contractor coming in to fit it out with everything it needs – including the screens and the projectors.

It will feature 59 seats as well as disabled access with a 10 metre diameter screen that will go inside the dome showing tours of the solar system and beyond.

The project team will also get to work on the groundwork outside of the planetarium to get it ready to welcome visitors.

Councillor Matthew Relf, Executive Lead Member for Regeneration, Growth and Local Planning, said: “It is wonderful to see construction of the new Planetarium and Science Discovery Centre nearing completion. It has been a monumental effort by all involved.

“It will be a fantastic place for schools and youth groups as well as individuals and families to come and see shows about space and about science. We know this will light the fire and passion for future scientists and engineers in the area.

“It has been a privilege to be part of the journey of seeing this move from an initial pitched idea while walking around the dark Victoria water tank, to securing the funding and now seeing the space transformed into a modern and exciting facility. I could not be more excited to see my first show in the finished planetarium.

“This really will be an incredible asset for the District and broader region and will inspire so many people with the wonders of space and inspire many onto new and exciting careers.”

The planetarium construction is part of Sherwood Observatory and Ashfield District Council’s development to create a Science Discovery Centre and planetarium at the Observatory in Sutton.

The ambitious plans for the site aim to create a unique, world-class facility that will rival those elsewhere in the UK. The observatory, on Coxmoor Road, sits alongside a Victorian subterranean reservoir which will be sympathetically transformed into an education and exhibition space. The original features of the reservoir, such as the intricate brick arches, will be kept preserving the history of the building.

Steve Wallace, Planetarium Project Manager, said: “This is going to be a cutting edge facility and it has been fascinating to work on. We are now moving to the next stage where a specialist planetarium creator will be coming in to transform the dome.

“It is a very unique bit of software that offers theatrical shows and give visitors a tour of the solar system where they can go from planet to planet and then out into the wider Milky Way and Universe.”