National Planetarium (Manila)

The National Planetarium (Filipino: Pambansang Planetaryo), also known as the National Museum Planetarium (shortened as NM Planetarium), is a planetarium owned and operated by the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. It is a 16-metre (52 ft) dome located in Rizal Park between the Japanese Garden and Chinese Garden on Padre Burgos Avenue in the central district of Ermita. It opened on October 8, 1975, and has been in operation since then.[1]

National Planetarium
Pambansang Planetaryo
EstablishedSeptember 30, 1975 (1975-09-30)
Coordinates14.5838889°N 120.9780556°E / 14.5838889; 120.9780556
TypePlanetarium
OwnerNational Museum of the Philippines
National Museum of the Philippines
Building details
General information
StatusComplete
LocationRizal Park, Ermita
Address565 Padre Burgos Avenue
Town or cityManila
CountryPhilippines
Construction started1974
InauguratedOctober 8, 1975 (1975-10-08)
CostUS$100 thousand

History

The building of a space museum in Rizal Park was proposed by Philippine Weather Bureau chief and Philippine Astronomical Society founder Maximo Sacro Jr. to National Museum Director Godofredo Alcasid Sr. in 1970. It was presented to then National Parks and Development Committee chair and First Lady Imelda Marcos who approved the project and immediately instructed the Bureau of Public Works to prepare plans for the building. Construction of the building began in 1974 with help from Japanese engineers. The planetarium cost US$100,000 to build with funding provided by the Japanese government as part of its war reparation to the Philippines.[2] Presidential Decree No. 804-A was signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos on September 30, 1975 which formally established the National Planetarium.[3] The building was formally inaugurated on October 8, 1975 with Maximo Sacro Jr. as its first curator.[1][4]

Museum exhibits and facilities

The National Planetarium is 16-metre (52 ft) high and has a seating capacity of 310. It is equipped with a GM-15-S Goto starball projector acquired since 1975.[5] It features four daily regular shows and a permanent exhibit in the main building featuring paintings of Philippine astronomical myths and beliefs and diorama representations of the Solar System, major constellations and astronomists.[6]

In 2012, the National Planetarium had more than 40,000 visitors, mostly students from Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Its exhibition drew over 2,000 visitors.[6]

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References
  1. "The Planetarium Division". National Museum of the Philippines. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  2. "Presidential Decree No. 804-A, s. 1975". Official Gazette (Philippines). Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  3. "Presidential Decree No. 804-A, s. 1975". Malacañang Records Office: Office of the President. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  4. "Did you know: Manila Planetarium". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  5. "National Museum Planetarium". International Planetarium List. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  6. "2012 Annual Report" (PDF). National Museum of the Philippines. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
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