Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

Armagh Planetarium is a planetarium positioned in Armagh, Northern Ireland near the metropolis centre and neighbouring Armagh Observatory in approximately fourteen acres of landscaped grounds known as the Armagh Astropark. Armagh Planetarium became hooked up through the seventh director of Armagh Observatory, Dr. Eric Mervyn Lindsay, who, after twenty-five years of attempt, secured investment from local councils and the Ministry of Commerce of Northern Ireland in 1965. In the equal 12 months Patrick Moore turned into appointed as Director of the Planetarium to supervise its production.

The planetarium price 120,000 to build and turned into formally opened on 1 May 1968, although it were open to the general public for some months before that. Since then it has passed through many alterations: the principle building changed into extended in 1974 to include the Lindsay Hall of Astronomy, and a dome become created to residence a 16" reflecting telescope for public use, presently the biggest public telescope in Ireland. In addition, in 1994 a brand new exhibition hall, the Eartharium, become delivered because of expanded hobby in Earth Science.