Buffalo Museum of Science reopens renovated observatory after 19 years
POSTED 17 Jul 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
The observatory reopens to the public for the first time in nearly two decades
The Kellogg Observatory and its iconic silhouette have been dormant for almost two decades, and we’re thrilled to now open the skies to a new generation of explorers – Marisa Wigglesworth
The Buffalo Museum of Science in Buffalo, New York, has celebrated the opening of its new digital planetarium, following the redevelopment of its Kellogg Observatory.
The observatory, which reopens to the public for the first time in nearly two decades, has undergone major renovations.
Part of the museum's history for close to a century, the observatory – along with its historic Lundin telescope and rooftop area – have undergone an extensive update and restoration.
Opened in 1930, the observatory closed in 1999 due to the need for repairs. It also featured outdated equipment and offered limited accessibility to visitors.
HHL Architects was appointed architect partner for the project, with Picone acting as construction contractor. As part of its restoration, the observatory's 90-year-old telescope has been fully restored, with the object sitting under a new aluminised steel dome. The redeveloped roof deck and dome pier are also now available for all museum guests.
In addition to its physical transformation, the museum has also undergone a rebranding, introducing a new logo and tag line – "Find Why" – which will rooted in the idea of asking 'why'?
"The Kellogg Observatory and its iconic silhouette have been dormant for almost two decades, and we’re thrilled to now open the skies to a new generation of explorers," said Marisa Wigglesworth, president and CEO of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences.
"Not only does the Kellogg Observatory provide a unique science learning destination for local and regional stargazers, but it solidifies the Buffalo Museum of Science’s place as a leading resource for astronomy for our region."
With the launch of the redeveloped observatory, the museum has also debuted a new portable planetarium, which can travel to destinations such as schools and community centres, increasing local outreach for the science museum.
Capable of fitting about 20 people at a time, visitors can explore the solar system in the inflatable planetarium, with a 360 degree view of stars and their constellations. The planetarium also features a range of digital overlays, enhancing use for multiple functions.
The observatory's reopening marks the completion of the science museum's "See It Through" capital fundraising campaign, which since 2012 has raised more than US$8m (€6.8m, £6m) towards redevelopment costs. In that time the museum has also undergone its own transformation, with its permanent gallery spaces becoming interactive, changeable education spaces that combine technology with pieces from the museum’s collection.
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Buffalo Museum of Science reopens renovated observatory after 19 years
POSTED 17 Jul 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
The observatory reopens to the public for the first time in nearly two decades
The Kellogg Observatory and its iconic silhouette have been dormant for almost two decades, and we’re thrilled to now open the skies to a new generation of explorers – Marisa Wigglesworth
The Buffalo Museum of Science in Buffalo, New York, has celebrated the opening of its new digital planetarium, following the redevelopment of its Kellogg Observatory.
The observatory, which reopens to the public for the first time in nearly two decades, has undergone major renovations.
Part of the museum's history for close to a century, the observatory – along with its historic Lundin telescope and rooftop area – have undergone an extensive update and restoration.
Opened in 1930, the observatory closed in 1999 due to the need for repairs. It also featured outdated equipment and offered limited accessibility to visitors.
HHL Architects was appointed architect partner for the project, with Picone acting as construction contractor. As part of its restoration, the observatory's 90-year-old telescope has been fully restored, with the object sitting under a new aluminised steel dome. The redeveloped roof deck and dome pier are also now available for all museum guests.
In addition to its physical transformation, the museum has also undergone a rebranding, introducing a new logo and tag line – "Find Why" – which will rooted in the idea of asking 'why'?
"The Kellogg Observatory and its iconic silhouette have been dormant for almost two decades, and we’re thrilled to now open the skies to a new generation of explorers," said Marisa Wigglesworth, president and CEO of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences.
"Not only does the Kellogg Observatory provide a unique science learning destination for local and regional stargazers, but it solidifies the Buffalo Museum of Science’s place as a leading resource for astronomy for our region."
With the launch of the redeveloped observatory, the museum has also debuted a new portable planetarium, which can travel to destinations such as schools and community centres, increasing local outreach for the science museum.
Capable of fitting about 20 people at a time, visitors can explore the solar system in the inflatable planetarium, with a 360 degree view of stars and their constellations. The planetarium also features a range of digital overlays, enhancing use for multiple functions.
The observatory's reopening marks the completion of the science museum's "See It Through" capital fundraising campaign, which since 2012 has raised more than US$8m (€6.8m, £6m) towards redevelopment costs. In that time the museum has also undergone its own transformation, with its permanent gallery spaces becoming interactive, changeable education spaces that combine technology with pieces from the museum’s collection.
Work starting on new planetarium development for Buffalo State POSTED 29 Aug 2017. BY Tom Anstey The Buffalo State College in New York State, US, is about to enter the third phase of a
US$35.5m expansion to its Science and Mathematics Complex (SAMC), with the plans to
include a new planetarium open to members of the general public.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
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