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Gillis Lowry asked for one last photo in front of the planetarium\u2019s star projector on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Lily Regan \/ Golden Gate Xpress<\/a>)<\/p>\nLowry, who began presenting planetarium shows at SFSU in October 2025, hopes visitors leave with a sense of connection to the natural world.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s really important as human beings to take a moment to connect to the world around us,\u201d Lowry said.<\/p>\n
The renovations will replace the planetarium\u2019s current star projector. Plans also include a video projection system that would allow presenters to display astronomical images and simulate travel to other planets.<\/p>\n
Physics and astronomy professor, Dr. Adrienne Cool, has led the renovation planning. According to Cool, the project has been in development for three years. While the existing planetarium has served its purpose for decades, it needs updating.<\/p>\n
\u201cQuite a few planetariums have gone to just pure video,\u201d said Cool. \u201cWe made a conscious decision not to do that. One is that you can see the quality of the sky and reproduce the night sky better with a dedicated star projector.\u201d<\/p>\n
The department hopes to reopen the planetarium for the fall 2027 semester, but its timeline depends on how quickly funds are raised.<\/p>\n
The planetarium received a donation from San Francisco-based foundation, Heising-Simons Foundation<\/a>. The Heising-Simons foundation funds advancements in climate and clean energy, early childhood education, fundamental physics, astronomy research and human rights.<\/p>\n Despite the foundation\u2019s donation, the planetarium still requires additional funds for a full renovation.<\/p>\n The college of science and engineering is currently raising money for new seating and dome lighting, which are necessary for the planetarium\u2019s reopening. Cool added that fundraising for the video projection system will follow, allowing for the feature to be installed later if necessary.<\/p>\n The planetarium, named after Charles Hagar, serves multiple purposes at SFSU. Astronomy students use the space for laboratory classes, while the site also offers free public shows, including programs for schoolchildren.<\/p>\n For Chris McCarthy, an adjunct assistant professor of exoplanetary science, the planetarium has been part of his life for years. As a former SFSU student, he trained to use the space during his master\u2019s program. Now McCarthy teaches an astronomy laboratory course that uses the planetarium.<\/p>\n \u201cThe planetarium represents an opportunity for people to connect to the night sky,\u201d McCarthy said. \u201cIt\u2019s a profound way to allow for that connection, especially here in San Francisco, where it can be hard to see the night sky with all the fog and light pollution.\u201d<\/p>\n During the facility\u2019s temporary closure, instructors will need to adjust how classes operate. Cool points to introductory astronomy laboratory courses because students will no longer be able to meet in the planetarium.<\/p>\n However, Cool referenced instructors\u2019 experience teaching without the facility from the COVID-19 pandemic. One alternative is Stellarium<\/a>, a free online software that simulates the night sky.<\/p>\n \u201cEven though there\u2019s an obvious downside of no planetarium for a while, there\u2019s an upside as well that they\u2019ll learn to use that software and have something at their fingertips that they can use whenever they want,\u201d Cool said.<\/p>\n Jim Muyo, director of Development Communications and SFSU alumnus, attended the Oct. 13 show. Muyo remembers gathering with his classmates at the planetarium because of their shared interest in astronomy.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was an attraction to come,\u201d Muyo said. \u201cThis would be a place that we would come to and gather anytime there was a show.\u201d<\/p>\n Muyo said the final presentation on Oct. 13 taught him about the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was an opportunity for me to learn things today, which was great,\u201d Muyo said.<\/p>\n The renovation intends to preserve the planetarium\u2019s interactive format while adding new features.<\/p>\n The university chose the new Zeiss<\/a> star projector because of the quality of the night sky projection it produces. While the planetarium implements the Zeiss projector to supplement digital video, it will retain a dedicated star projector.<\/p>\n The planned video projection system for the Zeiss projector would complement the star projector by displaying images from sources such as the James Webb Space Telescope<\/a> and allowing presenters to take visitors on simulated journeys across the surfaces of planets and moons.<\/p>\n Lowry looks forward to the combination of the two systems in the evolution of the planetarium.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot we\u2019re going to be able to do in pointing the view back at Earth from space and show us how this is a little pale blue dot in the sky that\u2019s worth protecting,\u201d Lowry said.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/News_Regan_Planatarium023-600x400.jpg\")
Attendees of the planetarium event gathered behind the star projector and spoke about the show after it ended on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Lily Regan \/ Golden Gate Xpress<\/a>)<\/p>\n
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Gillis Lowry used the original planetarium control panel and led an astronomy show about Halloween-themed constellations on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (