Type Planetarium Location Rizal Park, Ermita Country Philippines Inaugurated 8 October 1975 | Status Complete Town or city Manila Phone +63 2 527 7889 Construction started 1974 | |
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Established September 30, 1975 (1975-09-30) Address Padre Burgos Ave Rizal Park Metro Manila Philippines, Rizal Park Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines Hours Open today · 9AM–4:30PMWednesday9AM–4:30PMThursday9AM–4:30PMFriday9AM–4:30PMSaturday9AM–4:30PMSundayClosedMondayClosedTuesday9AM–4:30PMSuggest an edit Owner National Museum of the Philippines Similar National Museum of the Philip, Rizal Park, National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Fine Arts, Kilometer Zero | ||
The National Planetarium (Filipino: Pambansang Planetaryo), also known as the National Museum Planetarium (shortened as NM Planetarium), is a planetarium owned and operated by the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. It is a 16-metre (52 ft) dome located in Rizal Park between the Japanese Garden and Chinese Garden on Padre Burgos Avenue in the central district of Ermita. It opened on October 8, 1975, and has been in operation since then.
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History
The building of a space museum in Rizal Park was proposed by Philippine Weather Bureau chief and Philippine Astronomical Society founder Maximo Sacro Jr. to National Museum Director Godofredo Alcasid Sr. in 1970. It was presented to then National Parks and Development Committee chair and First Lady Imelda Marcos who approved the project and immediately instructed the Bureau of Public Works to prepare plans for the building. Construction of the building began in 1974 with help from Japanese engineers. The planetarium cost US$100,000 to build with funding provided by the Japanese government as part of its war reparation to the Philippines. Presidential Decree No. 804-A was signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos on September 30, 1975 which formally established the National Planetarium. The building was formally inaugurated on October 8, 1975 with Maximo Sacro Jr. as its first curator.
Museum exhibits and facilities
The National Planetarium is 16-metre (52 ft) high and has a seating capacity of 310. It is equipped with a GM-15-S Goto starball projector acquired since 1975. It features four daily regular shows and a permanent exhibit in the main building featuring paintings of Philippine astronomical myths and beliefs and diorama representations of the Solar System, major constellations and astronomists.
In 2012, the National Planetarium had more than 40,000 visitors, mostly students from Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Its exhibition drew over 2,000 visitors.