Seeing stars in a whole new light
- Zeblon Vilakazi
After 64 years, the Johannesburg Planetarium has been upgraded featuring new cutting-edge digital projectors that will enhance its role in science education.
The new Wits Anglo American Digital Dome will open to the public in February 2025.
Over the past two years, the Johannesburg Planetarium has undergone extensive refurbishment, and the old analogue Zeiss projector has been replaced by 10 high-resolution digital projectors that will transform how the people of Joburg and South Africa will be able to experience research and science in this heritage landmark.
The old planetarium has over the past 60 years attracted between 60,000 and 80,000 school children every year, who are introduced to the fascinating world of our solar system.
Wits University, in partnership with Anglo American, is launching the new Wits Anglo American Digital Dome on Tuesday, 12 November. The Digital Dome offers a completely new, interactive and innovative way for visitors to engage with various disciplines of science and research.
Since its inauguration in 1960, the Johannesburg Planetarium has been a beacon of astronomical education and wonder in South Africa. For more than six decades, this institution, as the first fully sized planetarium in Africa and the second in the southern hemisphere, has played a pivotal role in inspiring countless individuals, from young students to seasoned scientists, fostering a deep appreciation of the cosmos and its mysteries.
The experience of visiting the planetarium has been a rite of passage for many South African children. For most, it represents their first encounter with astronomy on such a grand scale. The awe-inspiring presentations under the planetarium’s dome have sparked curiosity and wonder, potentially influencing future career choices and fostering a lifelong interest in science.
I myself was inspired by my own visit to the planetarium in 1981, at the height of apartheid, in which they also showed us scenes of the 1969 moon landing. This visit left a huge and indelible mark on me, and I believe that it played a key role in igniting a scientific spark that led me to the career that I pursued.
The screening of the moon landing in 1969 was a defining moment in the planetarium’s history when it became the first venue in South Africa to screen footage of Apollo 11 touching down on the surface of the moon. This historic event brought the global space race right to the heart of Johannesburg, allowing local residents to witness one of humanity’s greatest achievements. The screening created a sense of connection to the broader world of space exploration and ignited imaginations across generations.
The success of the planetarium can in no small measure be attributed to the late Professor Arthur Bleksley, a professor in applied mathematics and astronomer at Wits from 1932 to 1968.
Prof Bleksley served as the first director of the planetarium, when it opened its doors in 1960 until just before his retirement. Prof Bleksley was indeed a man ahead of his time when it came to science communication and education, focusing a lot of his attention on teaching and explaining science to the public, often raising the ire of his colleagues when appearing in popular media to explain scientific concepts in easy-to-understand terms.
The planetarium’s educational impact extends beyond mere numbers and singular events. The quality of the experience has been consistently high, thanks to the facility’s commitment to staying current with technological advancements.
From its early days with the Zeiss projector to more recent digital systems, the planetarium has continually evolved to provide the most engaging and informative shows possible.
It’s worth noting that the Zeiss projector, a centrepiece of many planetariums worldwide, including Johannesburg’s, has a rich history. These projectors were not only used for public education but also played a role in practical applications.
During World War 2, for instance, projectors such as these, including our own projector, were used to train navigators in celestial navigation, highlighting the practical importance of astronomical knowledge.
The Johannesburg Planetarium’s influence reaches far beyond school visits. It has been a valuable resource for amateur astronomers, providing a space for enthusiasts to gather, learn and share their passion for the night sky. Regular events, such as viewings of celestial phenomena like eclipses or meteor showers, have helped build a community of stargazers in the region.
For the scientific community, particularly astrophysicists, such as our own Professor Roger Deane, the planetarium has served as a crucial link between academic research and public understanding. By hosting lectures, facilitating research projects and providing a platform for experts to engage with the public, the planetarium has played a vital role in promoting scientific literacy.
One unique aspect of the Johannesburg Planetarium is its efforts to incorporate indigenous astronomical knowledge into its programmes. This approach not only enriches the planetarium’s offerings, but also helps preserve important cultural heritage, demonstrating how scientific understanding can complement traditional knowledge systems.
As we look to the future, the Johannesburg Planetarium faces both challenges and opportunities. In an age of rapid technological advancement, the planetarium must continue to innovate to remain relevant. This might include embracing new technologies like virtual and augmented reality, while still maintaining the communal, immersive experience that has been its hallmark.
The heritage value of the Johannesburg Planetarium is immeasurable. It lies not just in its physical structure or technological capabilities, but in the countless moments of inspiration it has provided. From the child who discovers a passion for astronomy to the adult who finds perspective in the vastness of the cosmos, the planetarium has touched many lives.
The Johannesburg Planetarium stands as a testament to the enduring human fascination with the stars. Its legacy, built over more than 60 years, is one of education, inspiration and community engagement. As it continues to adapt and evolve, the planetarium remains a vital institution, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and public understanding, and inspiring new generations to look up and wonder.
It is a really proud moment for Wits that in its centenary period, Wits is again taking an incredible lead in renewing and reimagining the Digital Dome to inspire future generations, and open up the infinite possibilities that our world has to offer them.
Timeline of key events:
- 1960: Opening of the Johannesburg Planetarium;
- 1969: First venue in South Africa to screen footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing;
- 1974: Introduces the annual Star of Bethlehem show;
- 1985: Implements computer-aided shows;
- 1990: Introduces laser shows;
- 2000: Millennium celebrations;
- 2005: Major technology upgrade;
- 2009: 50th anniversary celebrations;
- 2015: Launches mobile outreach programme;
- 2020: 60th anniversary (modified celebrations due to global pandemic); and
- 2022: Reimagining of the Johannesburg Planetarium into the new Wits Anglo American Digital Dome.
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand. This article was first published in the Daily Maverick.