UConn planetarium revitalized with plans for public shows, sharing love of astronomy

STORRS, Conn. (WTNH) — It’s small and unassuming, but its job is vast, like the universe.

“It’s one of the oldest buildings on campus,” University of Connecticut physics professor Matt Guthrie said of the first planetarium built in Connecticut.

It shared the secrets of the night sky with staff and students for many years under the direction of director Cynthia Peterson.

But when she retired – and then passed away – it fell into disrepair around 2019.

“It kind of just became a storage unit for old astronomy equipment,” Guthrie said.

But when Guthrie began working on campus in 2020, he became fascinated by the planetarium and asked the university for funds to revitalize it with Peterson as his guiding light.

“The silver on the top has been re-coated with aluminum,” he said, pointing to the outside of the dome.

And now, from the outside to the inside, this building is coming back to life with fresh paint, new seating and a modern projector.

“Every time I use this, I learn more and more about it, and I’m more and more impressed with its capabilities,” Guthrie said of the projector.

The effects are pretty incredible.

“It also includes artwork that goes along with the constellations,” he explained during a demonstration of the projector’s abilities.

The planetarium will be used for public shows. It will also be a teaching tool for students and a vehicle to showcase professors’ research.

“Everything in astronomy is big, and it makes you feel small,” Guthrie said. “Humans are egocentric and driven by self-interest. Astronomy is humbling.”

Guthrie fell in love with astronomy when he was a child. Now, he wants to share this celestial magic.

“Being able to come to a planetarium on a whim, experience something that’s much bigger than yourself, it’s part of the feeling that you get,” he said.

The plan is to offer one show a week to the public and Guthrie hopes the planetarium will be open a few weeks.

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