Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space

Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space
Name	Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space
Established	2000
Location	Central Park West, New York City, New York
Type	Planetarium, Museum
Publictransit	81st Street–Museum of Natural History

Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space is a major public science facility and part of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Opened in 2000, the center is renowned for its innovative architecture and its role in presenting astrophysics and earth science to the public. Its central feature is the rebuilt Hayden Planetarium, which utilizes advanced visualization technology. The center is a key component of the museum's mission to explore the universe and our planet.

History and construction

The center was conceived in the 1990s as a replacement for the original Hayden Planetarium, which had opened in 1935. A significant gift from financier Frederick Phineas Rose and his wife, Sandra Priest Rose, provided the lead funding for the project. The museum's then-president, Ellen V. Futter, oversaw the fundraising and planning efforts. Construction began in 1997 under the architectural firm Polshek Partnership, led by James Stewart Polshek. The project involved collaboration with numerous scientific advisors, including Neil deGrasse Tyson, who was appointed director of the planetarium. The new facility opened to the public on February 19, 2000, coinciding with a major renovation of the adjacent American Museum of Natural History.

Architecture and design

The building's most striking feature is a six-story glass cube enclosing an 87-foot-diameter sphere, which houses the Hayden Planetarium theater. This design, by architects James Stewart Polshek and Todd Schliemann, is intended to represent the Sun within the cube of the universe. The structural engineering was performed by Weidlinger Associates, while the exterior glass curtain wall was engineered by Dewhurst Macfarlane and Partners. The sphere appears to float within the cube, connected by three bridges, and is illuminated at night, creating a landmark on the Upper West Side. The use of materials like glass, steel, and fiberglass-reinforced plastic was intended to evoke a sense of transparency and modernity.

Exhibits and facilities

The center's main exhibition hall, the Cullman Hall of the Universe, is located on the level below the sphere and presents the astrophysical phenomena of the universe. Key exhibits include the Big Bang Theater, a walk-through timeline of cosmic evolution, and the Planet Zone, which displays detailed models of planets in our Solar System. The adjacent David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth focuses on geology and climate science, featuring specimens like the Greenland ice core and a section of the Atlantic seafloor. Other facilities include the Harriet and Robert Heilbrunn Cosmic Pathway, a spiral ramp illustrating cosmic time, and the Mae Jemison-designed Earth Event Wall.

Hayden Planetarium

The centerpiece of the center is the completely rebuilt Hayden Planetarium, featuring the advanced Zeiss Mark IX star projector and a custom-designed Digital Dome system. The planetarium's Space Theater presents immersive shows such as "Journey to the Stars" and "Dark Universe," which are often narrated by figures like Whoopi Goldberg and Neil deGrasse Tyson. The planetarium's scientific work is supported by the museum's Department of Astrophysics, whose chairpersons have included Michael Shara. The facility also hosts live lectures and courses, connecting the public with current research from institutions like NASA and the European Space Agency.

Scientific and educational role

The center functions as a leading institution for public science literacy in astronomy and earth science. It collaborates closely with research organizations, including the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Educational programs range from teacher workshops and graduate courses with City University of New York to public lecture series featuring scientists like Janna Levin. The center's digital visualization team produces data-driven shows that incorporate findings from missions like the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. It also plays a key role in major public science events, such as the annual World Science Festival.

Management and operations

The center is operated as an integral division of the American Museum of Natural History under the leadership of the museum's president, a position held by Ellen V. Futter during its creation and later by Lisa J. Gugenheim. Day-to-day management of the planetarium and exhibits falls under the museum's Department of Education and the Department of Astrophysics. Funding comes from a combination of endowment income, major gifts from donors like the Rose Family and the Gottesman Family, and general museum revenue. Operations are supported by a staff of educators, curators, and visualization specialists who maintain the facility's technological systems and develop new programming.

Category:American Museum of Natural History Category:Planetaria in the United States Category:Buildings and structures in Manhattan Category:Museums in New York City Category:Astronomical observatories in New York (state)