WATERLOO – Waterloo’s latest new attraction is an extraordinary experience.
The 65-year-old planetarium in the Grout Museum District, 503 South St., has undergone a $ 200,000 renovation. With the touch of an iPad, a new state-of-the-art projection system will transport audiences to Jupiter, Saturn, Mars or any planet, galaxy or star, deep in the ancient Mayan jungle, the Christmas night sky – the possibilities are endless – and all in amazing detail.
It is an immersive experience that aims to educate, engage and entertain visitors.
“We can land on any planet and explore. We can move forward and backward in time. We can go into space in real time. We can host our own shows or choose from a selection of available programs, ”said Alan Sweeney, Director of Facilities and Exhibitions.
Renamed the Norris Corson Family Planetarium, the museum’s Star Room is one of only three planetariums in Iowa to offer public programming. The planetarium is open to members only until December 23. From December 27, it will be open to the public.
Installed in 1956, the planetarium underwent some renovations in 1976 with the installation of a new star projector. “After nearly 50 years, none of the star ball buttons or switches were working. When we closed due to COVID, it gave us the perfect time to start the renovation project, ”Sweeney said. He did the demolition work himself.
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The original star projector is now in a display case right outside the planetarium door.
The planetarium now features a 4K laser projection system installed by Bowen Technovations of Indianapolis, a Digitalis planetarium control system, LED lighting and 5.1 surround sound. A specialty silver tint coating was painted over the original dome, cove lighting installed for more special lighting effects, and 30 theater-style reclining seats installed. There is also a new electrical system and carpet.
Sweeney described his first experience with the planetarium’s new ability as “breathtaking”. It’s so new that we’re still trying to figure out what we can do. Everything is computerized and integrated. Now we can just go in, press a button, slide the iPad, and start a show. It gives us so much flexibility.
In a recent test presented to 30 third-graders, “the whole hall erupted with cheers and applause,” he said.
Sweeney credits Barbara Corson as the driving force behind the renovation. Corson has been fascinated by astronomy since his childhood and a great traveler. She is passionate about museums. “We have a world class museum in the Grout, and I’ve always been grateful that the Grout has a planetarium, but after so many years the equipment was no longer operational,” Corson said.
She took action and contacted the director of the Grout Museum, Billie Bailey, to organize a planetarium committee that would work out a plan and raise funds. “The end result is fantastic,” she said.
A new effort, “Opening New Doors”, will begin in January to raise funds to improve the accessibility and functioning of the museum and planetarium.
Other planetarium contributors include Black Hawk County Gaming Association, Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, Cathy Livingston Fund (Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa), The Leighty Fund, Sandra Rada-Aleff, Sally Darragh, Kathy Breckunitch, Frederick W. Mast Family Fund and Greg and Lynette Harter.
Admission to the planetarium is $ 6 for adults and $ 3 for children. Members of the museum are free. Members can watch shows at 3 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays through December 23. From December 27 to 31, audiences can view shows at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. after December 31. weekday shows are at 3 p.m. and 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
To become a member or for more information, visit gmdistrict.org/membership or call 234-6357.
PHOTOS: Gorgeous fall centerpieces
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Celebrate fall by filling a rustic metal container to the brim with seasonal flowers, dahlias and rose mums, feather grass leaves and fronds. Use florist’s moss to hold the stems in place. Perfect for the center of a long dining table!
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Go a little into the countryside with this charming arrangement. Wrap some lace and twine around a piece of vintage tableware and fill it with yellow, brown-eyed sunflowers and white roses for a contrasting study.
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Bright green apples, orange and berry-colored flowers and seasonal cuttings in a low white bang ring the right note for a fall centerpiece.
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This masterpiece is ripe for painting with its artful mix of large fronds and charming sunflowers and other seasonal flowers. Fake sunflowers can look like real ones, if you can’t find a fresh one.
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A regular pumpkin becomes glamorous with a spray of gold paint. After removing the seeds and plumping the pumpkin, spray the pumpkin with shiny gold (or silver, copper, or bronze), then tuck in a square of damp florist’s foam. Tuck in flowers and leaf cuttings to make a full, thick centerpiece.
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What could be more beautiful – or more evocative of autumn – than stems of mums and asters grouped together for a bouquet. The vase is wrapped in butcher’s paper and tied with string. Leaves, apples and inshell nuts are scattered under the vase on a gathered burlap runner.
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Create a still life worthy of a Dutch master’s brush. Here, mums, roses, rose hips, eucalyptus and berries were gathered in a bouquet to fill a galvanized metal pitcher. A wire basket filled with fresh apples and a loose mini pumpkin or two complete the picture.
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A carved pumpkin makes a happy container to hold roses, sea holly, mums, rose hips, and other flowers and foliage for a seasonal look. You can insert floral foam to keep your design together – don’t forget to keep it moist so the flowers will last (or go fake!).
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‘Orange’ you are pretty! Moms, ranunculus, roses and a variety of filler leaves and berry stems create a cheerful bouquet that works just as well on the kitchen island as it does on the dining table.
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Not everyone likes the moody colors that fall brings. They prefer to look on the bright side, so create a centerpiece filled with tropical fruits and bright reddish orange berries, lime green mums, and even a few yellow tulips (wrong, of course, this time of year!)
