UW-Eau Claire’s L.E. Phillips Planetarium: An End of an Era
EAU CLAIRE — The L.E. Phillips Planetarium at UW-Eau Claire has long been a favorite spot for stargazers. This year marks a significant transition as it will hold its final public and private shows before moving to the new Riverside Science Center in summer 2027, which promises enhanced celestial displays.
Innovative Changes Ahead
Bill Wolf, an Associate Professor and current planetarium director in the Physics and Astronomy Department, emphasizes the exciting potential of the new digital planetarium. This upgraded facility will allow for immersive experiences, such as flying over Mars or exploring other educational content beyond astronomy.
“The digital one allows us to do all sorts of things,” Wolf mentions. “We can blast off and fly along the surface of Mars… There’s lots of immersive dome content out there, so I’m excited.”
Educational Outreach
Currently, Thursday nights feature shows dedicated to exploring the Northern sky, constellations, and celestial phenomena. Wolf highlights the interplay of changing positions of the sun throughout the year and refers to the recent spring equinox, discussing how these changes affect Earth.
“The planetarium lets you rocket through time,” he explains, making these concepts more tangible to visitors, who are encouraged to ask questions during the shows.
A Personal Journey
Wolf’s passion for astronomy began in his childhood, inspired by a deal with his parents that led him to build a reflector telescope. Growing up in a rural area, he enjoyed the stunning night skies, further nurturing his love for the cosmos.
A Bittersweet Transition
While Wolf acknowledges the advantages of the new planetarium, such as advanced technology allowing for grander displays, he admits there will be elements from the old planetarium that will be missed, particularly its capability to mask light effectively compared to traditional projectors.
“It’s special, and it will be a sad loss when we get rid of it. But I think it’s still an upgrade going to the new one,” Wolf concludes.
Final Showings
UW-Eau Claire invites the community to attend the last shows at the L.E. Phillips Science Hall every Thursday until December 10 (excluding Thanksgiving) starting at 7 p.m. More details are available on the planetarium’s webpage.
