National Planetarium temporarily closes, building set for decommissioning

The National Planetarium is temporarily closing its doors as its 46-year-old building in Rizal Park in Manila will be decommissioned, the National Museum of the Philippines announced on Monday, October 11. 

In a Facebook post, the National Museum said that the National Planetarium, built in 1975, will to give way to the development plans of the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC).

“Thus it is, with a measure of sadness, fondness and nostalgia – but also with anticipation and excitement for its future, that we announce the temporary closure of the National Planetarium as an institution and the decommissioning of its 46-year-old premises in the central section of Rizal Park, Manila,” the National Museum said. 

According to the post, the NPDC has plans for the central and western sections of Rizal Park while the National Museum of the Philippines has taken over the eastern section and has development plans of their own for the National Museum Complex. 

The National Planetarium is best known for its full-dome digital and mobile planetarium shows, lectures, exhibitions about astronomical information, and celestial observations. 

“We are sad to retire the old building, which has in its own way been a landmark in Manila and a pillar of the National Museum of the Philippines as a whole, but we are excited and motivated to work to deliver a new facility that will breathe new life into the National Planetarium as a beloved institution,” the National Museum said.

The National Museum has yet to provide more details as plans for the new planetarium are still in the development stage. But it said that the new National Planetarium will be “truly worthy of the name in our present time.” 

“[It] will be designed to serve the public well for many more decades to come with the unique experience that only a world-class planetarium can provide,” it said.

– Rappler.com