The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is moving forward with plans to construct a state-of-the-art planetarium as an addition to the University of Alaska Museum of the North. The $9 million project aims to create a unique educational and research facility that will serve both the university community and visitors alike.

The new planetarium will feature an impressive 11-meter dome and accommodate seating for 65 guests, offering an intimate yet immersive experience. According to Alaska's News Source, this facility will hold the distinction of being the northernmost planetarium in North America, providing visitors with a cutting-edge 360-degree immersive theater experience.

Bob McCoy, director of UAF’s Geophysical Institute, highlighted the long-standing desire within the university to establish such a facility. “One of the things that would be nice, with all the tourists coming in the summer, is if we had a planetarium movie,” McCoy explained. “So we’re buying cameras. We’re giving them to our researchers when they go in the field. These are planetarium cameras, so they can make movies of whatever research they’re doing.”

The planetarium is not only intended as a public attraction but also as a vital educational and research tool. McCoy anticipates that students and researchers will actively use the planetarium to showcase their scientific work and engage directly with the public. This interaction is expected to foster greater community involvement and awareness of the university's research initiatives.

Construction is underway on the west end of the museum, with the facility expected to open its doors in 2026. Once complete, it will offer a remarkable new way to experience both astronomy and the research conducted in Alaska's unique northern environment.

The project represents a significant investment in UAF’s mission to advance scientific knowledge and public education, while enhancing the appeal of the Museum of the North as a cultural and educational landmark.

Originally reported by Mike Kennedy in ASU MAG.