Hayden Planetarium — Attraction in New York

Many fond memories of this planetarium from my childhood days in the 60's and 70's. It is absolutely critical that children understand our rather random "place in the universe", which is the outer fringe of the Orion arm of the spiral Milky Way galaxy. Our galaxy is at least 100,000 light years across with a gigantic black hole at the rotational center. That supermassive black hole has the mass of about 4.2 million Suns! It is NOT the engine of destruction. That black hole is the engine of creation. Creation is not universal. It is accomplished by and restricted to galaxies. Galaxies are THE dominant feature of our universe, and there's at least 100 billion of them. Matter is created in that accretion zone or field just outside the event horizon of the black hole. This is counterintuitive, but absolutely true. Newly formed stars occupy the region outside the event horizon. This is a recently discovered fact. All the elements are byproducts of star formation. The expansion of the Universe keeps the overall density of matter constant. Stars are constantly being formed. Children will respect their home planet that much more when they absorb the fact that Earth, and they themselves, are NOT the center of the Universe. These same children want to colonize Mars. Well, don't be fooled by those rather benign photos that look like the Sonoran Desert! The atmosphere is 96 percent carbon dioxide with a smattering of carbon monoxide and argon. It's friggin cold and the "soil" is not soil it is actually a highly toxic regolith laced with perchlorates. Not one plant that I know of will grow in that regolith. Better bring about 500 tons of soil from Bridghampton to grow them potatoes in Mr. Matt Damon! In short, Mars is DEADLY and is averse to human occupation. Mars will chew you up and spit you out dead, silly child! As a child, with my refractor 900x Edmund Scientific telescope, on my roof in Deer Park, I witnessed a Mars planetary dust storm that enveloped the ENTIRE PLANET. I thought my telescope was defective! No human or human habitat would ever survive that dust storm! The movie "The Martian" is fairly accurate on the depiction of a major dust storm. Other than that, it's pure Hollywood fantasy! I repeat: Mars is really TOXIC and DEADLY. Infinitely better to colonize our Moon: no atmosphere, no storms, perfect astronomical platform and front row seat for observing Earth, relatively close compared to Mars. So much more hospitable and it is the perfect vacation spot for a three week getaway! Plus, 12 humans have visited already! They loved the 1/6 gravity of the Moon! Come on, Elon, let's get that Moon base built. What's that? You already own the 4G cellular rights to the Moon? I love the way...

Three stars for architecture.

I went in 2008 as part of a new years week trip. I "grew up" in the OMSI Kendal Planetarium. I spent the weekends of my youth there, and I had my own chair with my name engraved on the armrest. Later I acquired the GOTO M1 optical mechanical projector. Currently, I am building my own projector based on the Spitz STS system and RSA Cosmos SN 1000 designs.

Having said that, part of a good Planetarium experience is the wonder of the projector in the middle of the room. These are amazing machines that inspire.

It was my understanding that the Hayden had a Zeiss Universarium optical mechanical projector. In 2008, that was the state of the art fiber optic based system. A projector that boasted such great accuracy that binoculars can be used in the dome to resolve Messier objects. Seeing this projector was to be the highlight of my visit.

I toured the museum, and enjoyed the other exhibit on pins and needles waiting for the Planetarium show. By the time I explored the wonderful architecture of the building, with that huge sphere in the middle of the glass cube, I was certain, "Something wonderful was going to happen." inside.

To my great disappointment the doors opened and there was no projector and no console. Instead, the usher lady unenthusiastically droned on about the rules, opened an electrical panel with two glowing buttons. One red and one green. She pushed the green one and stepped out.

Moments later the lights dimmed, and edge-blended video filled the dome depicting fat, washed out pixelated "stars". This was a singular disapointment.

Unless the Hayden has installed an actual star projector again, it is resigned to a dome theater and NOT a planetarium. The Hayden ought to be America's cutting edge planetarium with state of the art technology. Edge blended video, is common, boring and uninspiring from a technical...

Haden Planetarium offers an enchanting odyssey through the cosmos, transcending the ordinary boundaries of stargazing. Its cutting-edge projection technology transforms the domed ceiling into a celestial masterpiece, immersing visitors in a captivating journey through the universe.

The curated celestial shows are a symphony of visual splendor and informative narration, providing an accessible yet profound exploration of astronomical wonders. Knowledgeable astronomers guide the audience through cosmic landscapes, unraveling the intricacies of stars, planets, and galaxies with a perfect blend of entertainment and education.

Beyond the celestial displays, the planetarium's commitment to education is evident in its interactive exhibits and programs. These offerings cater to a diverse audience, creating an engaging space for learning about the mysteries of the cosmos. From immersive presentations on celestial phenomena to hands-on displays, Haden Planetarium sparks curiosity and fosters a deeper understanding of the universe.

The seamless integration of science and entertainment makes it an exceptional destination for those seeking both wonder and knowledge. Whether gazing at the simulated night sky or engaging with educational displays, Haden Planetarium provides a celestial experience that resonates with anyone curious about the profound...