GLASGOW Science Centre has reopened its planetarium after being closed for more than 16 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The immersive theatre experience opened its doors to the public today for the first time since March 16 last year - more than 500 days since it was forced to shut.
The planetarium is a state-of-the-art fulldome digital projection system that displays visuals 360 degrees across a 15-metre hemispherical dome.
PICTURES BY ROBERT PERRY
It offers a host of live presenter-led shows, narrated by a team of astronomers and science experts, which take the audience on an educational journey through the solar system and beyond.
Nina Cameron, planetarium coordinator at Glasgow Science Centre, presented the first shows back in the theatre and became teary-eyed at the audience reaction to certain parts of the production.
When asked about the reopening of the planetarium, Nina said: "It's a bit nerve-wracking - but it's mostly exciting.
"It felt like Christmas morning. I think that's the best way to describe it.
"It felt just as exciting as when we opened the planetarium for the first time after we had our digital refit.
"We're delighted to be able to offer our daytime programme again.
"You can expect a whistle-stop tour of the cosmos - from what's above your head that you can go out and see tonight in Glasgow to visiting the very edge of the universe."
It feels like Christmas morning in the Planetarium today, we're so excited to welcome you all back!
— GSC Planetarium (@GSCPlanetarium) August 2, 2021
You can book tickets and read over the new measures we have put in place to keep visitors and staff safe here.https://t.co/LQv0Nm18fr https://t.co/4cRyKK2CsU
The planetarium's visitors can also watch screenings of fulldome films, including a short 25-minute film narrated by Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint.
In 2015, the planetarium was upgraded to a state-of-the-art, fulldome digital projection system.
Nina, who is also the president of British Association of Planetaria (BAP), added: "Approaching closure last year, we were nervous about what the future held.
"We very quickly switched to a really extensive digital offering for families and home educators, and the planetarium team was involved in quite a lot of our community projects, which was really exciting.
"It meant that we still got to connect with the cosmos and offer really high-quality astronomer content, even though the planetarium doors were shut.
"We're just really excited to be opening back up again."
The planetarium at Glasgow Science Centre is now open to the public and tickets can be booked in advance HERE.
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