Hayden Planetarium

Hayden Planetarium
Name	Hayden Planetarium
Caption	The Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space
Established	0 1935
Location	American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West, Manhattan, New York City
Type	Planetarium
Director	Neil deGrasse Tyson
Website	https://www.amnh.org/

Hayden Planetarium. It is a public planetarium and part of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Founded in 1935, it is one of the world's preeminent venues for public astronomy education and astrophysical research. The planetarium is now housed within the iconic Rose Center for Earth and Space, a landmark structure on Central Park West.

History

The original facility was funded by a gift from philanthropist Charles Hayden and opened to the public in 1935, becoming a pioneering institution for celestial education. It was initially housed in a separate building adjacent to the main museum complex, designed by the architectural firm Trowbridge & Livingston. The planetarium quickly gained fame under its first director, Clyde Fisher, and through its association with renowned astronomers like Harlow Shapley. In 1997, the original structure was demolished to make way for a new, state-of-the-art facility, which reopened in 2000 as the Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space, designed by Polshek Partnership Architects.

Architecture and facilities

The current facility is renowned for its architectural centerpiece, a massive, six-story suspended sphere housing the Space Theater within a transparent glass cube. This innovative design, created by architect James Polshek, has become an iconic feature of the Manhattan skyline. The complex includes the Cullman Hall of the Universe and the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Hall of the Universe, which present exhibits on astrophysics and planetary science. The planetarium's advanced projection system, the Zeiss Mark IX, is capable of rendering highly accurate digital simulations of the Milky Way and distant galaxies.

Exhibits and programs

Permanent exhibits focus on the scale and evolution of the universe, featuring meteorites like the Willamette Meteorite and detailed models of celestial bodies. The Space Show is a signature program, offering immersive visual journeys through cosmic phenomena narrated by figures such as Whoopi Goldberg and Liam Neeson. Public programming includes the popular Astronomy Live lecture series, overnight programs for children, and special viewing events for occurrences like lunar eclipses and transits of Venus. The institution also hosts the annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate, moderated by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Scientific contributions

Staff astrophysicists have contributed significantly to fields like cosmology and exoplanet research, with scientists like Michael Shara publishing extensively on stellar evolution and novae. The planetarium's Digital Universe Atlas, developed in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency, is a premier three-dimensional map of the observable cosmos used by research institutions worldwide. Its scientists are frequently involved in major projects, including data analysis from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope.

Directors and notable staff

The first director was Clyde Fisher, followed by influential leaders like Gordon A. Atwater and Franklyn M. Branley. The modern era has been defined by the long tenure of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, appointed in 1996, who oversaw the redesign and has become a globally recognized science communicator. Notable past and present staff include geophysicist James A. Westphal, astrophysicist Michele Bannister, and curator Denton S. Ebel. The planetarium has also maintained close associations with figures like Carl Sagan, who was a frequent visitor and contributor.

In popular culture

The planetarium has served as a filming location for numerous productions, including scenes in Robert De Niro's film *The Good Shepherd* and episodes of the television series *Gossip Girl*. It is famously referenced in J.D. Salinger's novel *The Catcher in the Rye*, where protagonist Holden Caulfield visits. The facility and its director have been featured in episodes of *The Big Bang Theory*, *Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey*, and the film *The Day After Tomorrow*. Its distinctive architecture has also appeared in various media, symbolizing scientific inquiry in New York City.

Category:American Museum of Natural History Category:Planetaria in the United States Category:Buildings and structures in Manhattan Category:1935 establishments in New York (state)