U.S. Space & Rocket Center Planetarium named best in nation
By Aaron Tanner
Photos Courtesy U.S. Space & Rocket Center
For more than 50 years, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville has invited visitors to enjoy an out-of-this-world experience.
This year, the center’s INTUITIVE® Planetarium earned a heavenly reward when it was recognized as the top planetarium in the U.S.
In February, USA Today named the INTUITIVE® Planetarium, located at Alabama’s most visited tourist attraction, as the number one planetarium in the U.S. in its 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award. This annual award is determined by public online voting, reflecting visitor experiences and popularity.
The list of planetariums in the running for the award, chosen by USA Today editors and subject matter experts, included McDowell Planetarium at the St. Louis Science Center in Missouri; the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and the Felis Planetarium at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Readers cast their votes online over a four-week period.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center received notification of its top ranking by e-mail, with a public ceremony held afterward to celebrate.
The planetarium is a product of a partnership between the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and Intuitive Research and Technology, a Huntsville-based aerospace engineering and analysis firm. Using 8K technology with engaging storytelling by top presenters, it is easy to see why readers chose the Alabama planetarium as the best in the nation. No two live shows are the same, with presenters engaging audiences with their space-related expertise and using life-like images on a domed screen for illustrations.
“The INTUITIVE® Planetarium strives to deliver live presentations, featuring immersive, data-driven visualizations that actively engage audiences of all backgrounds with fun, accessible, and up-to-date science,” says planetarium director David Weigel. All shows and visuals are created in-house, and updated as space-related discoveries become available, sometimes on the same day as a public release.
A variety of shows put the planetarium over the top. Current choices include “Our Place in Space,” which journeys through the entire solar system and beyond; “The Story Unfolds,” featuring findings from the James Webb Telescope; and “Black Holes: Cosmic Abyss,” highlighting cosmic voids that have baffled astronomers for decades.
On Friday nights, the planetarium hosts a “Cocktails & Cosmos” series with engaging lectures and a chance to unwind from a long workweek with space-themed adult beverages. Each show lasts approximately one hour, with the Friday night show lasting longer. A stadium seating capacity of nearly 250 and a giant, tilted dome screen with a 180-degree view of life-like images of the cosmos allow for a comfortable experience.
The staff at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center was ecstatic about receiving the number one ranking. “We were thrilled to have our planetarium recognized in this way, and we are so proud of the planetarium team’s exceptional work,” says U.S. Space & Rocket Center Senior Director of Communications Pat Ammons. Adding to the deep appreciation from readers, Weigel says: “This is recognition both from and for the entire Huntsville community, who continues to support us.”
Additionally, U.S. Space & Rocket Center Interim CEO and CFO Brenda Perez says, “We are thrilled with this recognition of our INTUITIVE® Planetarium and the team of people who work so hard to create the visually stunning and fascinating programs offered every day.”
Investments by INTUITIVE since 2019, when the planetarium opened, provide state-of-the-art technology, and Huntsville’s commitment to STEM and space education ensures that both locals and visitors continue to receive access to quality programs inside the planetarium. The facility is also designed to inspire younger audiences to pursue a career in the aerospace industry.
“The Rocket City deserves the very best, and that’s why we invested and continue to invest in the INTUITIVE® Planetarium,” says Harold Brewers, co-founder of Intuitive.
Several upgrades to the planetarium this year will help in maintaining its number one ranking next year, including new projectors and seats, while continuing the quality of content in its programs.
“The number one ranking is much appreciated, but we are more focused on innovation and continued excellence in our programming,” Weigel says. “We will continue to improve our creative and scientific storytelling, to push the bounds of technology while deepening the partnerships with the scientific community and delivering experiences that people cannot get anywhere else.”
In addition, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s partnership with NASA and the Marshall Space Flight Center will continue to provide access to the most recent space imagery for illustrations, and a new laser show debuting this summer featuring thematic tunes and stunning visuals will leave audiences mesmerized.
Being ranked number one is an achievement, but more important is inspiring visitors to explore space. “The best recognition is when guests leave eager to discover the wonders of the universe,” says Weigel.
To see the results of the USA Today poll, visit 10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-planetarium. The planetarium will be closed May 26-June 3 for upgrades, but check out future show times and purchase tickets at rocketcenter.com/intuitiveplanetarium/daytime.
