Bringing the Universe to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan since 1965!

Shiras Planetarium

About Us

 

Our History

 

Shiras Planetarium is the only fully operational planetarium within a two hundred mile radius of Marquette, serving a large region of the Upper Great Lakes. Since our doors first opened in 1965, hundreds of thousands of students ranging from lower elementary to university, community members, and visitors to our area have come to the Shiras Planetarium to be entertained and educated. The Shiras Planetarium offers daily programs to schools from across the U.P. and weekly programs for the public and special groups. We serve a valuable and unique need of the people of the Upper Peninsula.

 

The Shiras Planetarium opened in the spring of 1965 after money through the National Defense Act was acquired to purchase a star projector.  Once the money for the star projector was secured, all that was necessary was a building to house it.  The Shiras Institute graciously funded this project as an addition to the newly built Marquette Senior High School.

 

Originally, the planetarium contained a Spitz A3P Optical-Mechanical class star projector.  Over the years, more equipment was added and the planetarium served the community in its basic function to educate people in the sciences.  However, with over 25 years of use, the Spitz machine was falling into disrepair.  In the late 1980’s, it was decided that a new star machine would be preferable to spending tens of thousands of dollars to refurbish the A3P.  So, in the years between 1991 and 1992, a new Minolta MS-8 star projector, a computer automation system, and many more projectors were installed.

          

           For the first time, the Shiras Planetarium took advantage of computer technology to control over 20 different projectors of various design and was able to offer shows which paralleled larger planetariums and enthralled audiences in an educational setting.  In fact, at this time, some people labeled the Shiras Planetarium as the “finest equipped high school planetarium in the country.”  However, as often happens with advances in technology, media, and educational research, by 2004 we found ourselves behind current trends.

 

           To maintain the great reputation of the Shiras Planetarium, it was decided to install a new Konica Minolta MediaGlobe-Lite full dome, color, digital star projector along side the Minolta MS-8.  This makes the Shiras Planetarium the first in the world to have these two star projectors working in tandem together!  We no longer need slide projectors or special effects projectors which cleans up the theater and all of our needs can be met through digital media.  Best of all, we still have one of the clearest star fields around using the MS-8, and we can create immersive scenes that transport our patrons throughout the cosmos using the MediaGlobe.

 

           In addition to providing great shows, the Shiras Planetarium continues to be an active member of the community by sponsoring observing sessions for major events in astronomy, offering internship positions for students in various districts, working closely with the Marquette Astronomical Society and the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, and appearing regularly in local media sources.  Our continuing mission is to be a comprehensive community resource and cultural center for the entire Upper Peninsula to use.

Photo of Original Spitz A3P (1965-1991)

Photo of Director

Chris Standerford

Photo of current star projectors. (We have two!!) 

 

The Minolta MS-8 and the Konica Minolta  MediaGlobe-Lite are shown here under our 9.1 m (30 ft) Astro-Tec Dome.

One of our audiences