The opening weekend of the modernized Silesian Planetarium
After a four-year break, the Silesian Planetarium in Chorzów resumes its activities. The facility has been rebuilt and modernised, transforming it into a modern science park. Professor Damian Gąsiorek from the Silesian University of Technology was a member of the Consultative Council which supports the substantive activities of the facility.
After the renovation, the Silesian Planetarium became much larger than before. Among other things, it was enriched with new underground rooms. There were, among others, an exhibition presenting issues in three areas that the facility deals with: seismology, meteorology and astronomy, as well as lecture halls and laboratories. In addition, an observation tower was erected next to the complex.
One of the biggest attractions is the ultra-modern hybrid projector system, which projects images in 8K technology. The new projector is capable of displaying around 100 million stars on an almost 800 square metre spherical screen. The hall is equipped with 300 comfortable reclining seats and 12 loungers. On the horizon is a reconstructed panorama of Katowice, Chorzów and Świętochłowice in 1955.
The new interactive exhibitions not only show various physical phenomena, but also allow visitors to experience them. Visitors can, for example, experience a simulated earthquake, see and hear real lightning generated by a Tesla coil and witness cloud formation and precipitation. One of the biggest attractions is also a room that allows you to walk among the stars in 3D glasses, and a flight simulator to the International Space Station.
Modernisation of the Silesian Planetarium cost over PLN 150 million. It was financed from the funds of the Silesian Voivodship, the state budget and the European Union. The Nicolaus Copernicus Planetarium and Astronomical Observatory is an educational institution of the Silesian Voivodeship.
More details on the website: https://www.planetarium.edu.pl/
As the Deputy Dean for Cooperation and Development of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology, Professor Damian Gąsiorek, told the Silesian University of Technology Television, the task of the Consultative Council on which he sat, was to develop modern stands showing various aspects of seismology, meteorology and astronomy.
- There are such stands, which do not exist in Europe, and some maybe even in the world. These are our own stations. One example is the stands where we will be able to see lightning discharges. There will be a huge Tesla coil which, by the way, plays various tunes. So, yes, we play on the Tesla coil in the Planetarium, and at the same time we can see what consequences such lightning has - he said.
He added that the modern big screen under the dome allows us to see stars and constellations in 8K resolution. - Sitting there on the seats, you don't want to leave - he said.
