Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Naval Hill Planetarium celebrates its first decade

09 November 2023 | Story Prof Matie Hoffman

A decade ago, the former Lamont-Hussey Observatory in Bloemfontein became Southern Africa’s first digital planetarium. Thanks to a collaboration between the University of the Free State (UFS), the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, the Department of Science and Innovation, and the Free State Province – as well as donations from trusts, foundations, and businesses – the project has grown and thrived.

Many different shapes, one place

The Naval Hill Planetarium was established in the old Lamont-Hussey Observatory. After the closure of the astronomical observatory, the buildings were refurbished and used by PACOFS as the Observatory Theatre. When the site became available again, it was envisioned to turn it into a planetarium. After many years of hard work, the newly refurbished buildings were opened in 2013 as the Naval Hill Planetarium – the first digital planetarium in Africa south of the Sahara.

The decade has seen many changes on the site of the former Lamont-Hussey Observatory, founded by the University of Michigan in 1927 to study double stars through the largest refracting telescope in the Southern Hemisphere. Improvements include the conversion of the old telescope building into a modern digital planetarium, the refurbishment of the structure of the old Lamont telescope and its installation as a display outside the old telescope dome, an observing platform, and a new hall for environmental education. The planetarium and the hall are now known as the Centre for Earth and Space, and developments are continuing.

Partners who have supported the project include the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), the University of Michigan, Old Mutual, Sun International, the Hermann Ohlthaver Trust, ArcelorMittal, the Joan St Leger Lindbergh Charitable Trust, and the CB van Wyk Gesinstrust. In 2022, the Raubex Group and First Technology supported the University of the Free State to upgrade the planetarium’s projection system. Volunteers, including the Friends of the Boyden Observatory and the Naval Hill Planetarium, as well as the Friends of Franklin, have played an invaluable role in supporting and developing this community asset. The planetarium is managed by the Department of Physics at the University of the Free State.

A time to celebrate

During November and December 2023, the planetarium’s first decade will be celebrated with events and special shows, including the South African premier of the AMNH full-dome film, Worlds Beyond Earth. The board of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) – the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere – will attend the premiere. Many international partners are involved in SALT, and AMNH is one of the shareholders in the SALT Foundation. As part of the partnership between the AMNH and SALT, AMNH provides sponsorship for education and outreach efforts in South Africa. The Naval Hill Planetarium benefits from this initiative and receives content for the planetarium in the form of AMNH full-dome films.

In addition to regular school shows, there will be two public shows every Saturday in November and December – one show in English and one in Afrikaans. In December, there will be additional shows for children. Bookings for shows should be done through Computicket, click here to book. The planetarium can accommodate group bookings and functions (enquiries at +2 51 401 9751 or ficky@ufs.ac.za).

News Archive

International speakers discuss diversity

2014-02-11

Dr Charles Alexander from UCLA
Photo: O'Ryan Heideman

International and local experts recently gathered on the Bloemfontein Campus to deliberate over the topic of diversity.

Student participation and mobility dramatically increased in higher education worldwide. Cultural, political, economic and social factors on a national and global scale, have brought the reality of diversity into the operational spaces of Higher Education Institutions. These challenges are not exclusive to South Africa, though. In the Netherlands and USA, universities are also challenged by the demands of an increasingly diverse student population.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, acted as one of the keynote speakers during a two-day colloquium hosted by the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice. In an impelling address, Prof Jansen argued that change cannot be affected on a university campus if the surrounding community does not change as well. He also noted the spread of a culture of silence surrounding issues of misbehaviour. He urged that we need to find courage again to speak out. From the level of government, media and churches to the private spaces of our homes, we have to co-create an environment of care.

This message closely tied in with that of Prof Shirley Tate’s from the University of Leeds. In her keynote, she asserted that mere tolerance of someone different from you can lead to even more alienation. The path to true reconciliation is grounded in the intimacy of friendship. Friendship and empathy lead to trust and transcend racism.

Another keynote speaker from abroad, Dr Charles Alexander from the University of California, delineated a model for inclusive excellence. He explained that the major problem of true transformation is not due to a lack of ideas, but in the implementation thereof. “Realities of implementation short circuit the change process,” he said. He explained how campus environments can adapt in order to support and enhance lasting inclusivity.

We have to become complicit in the process of transformation, Prof Dr Ghorashi, Professor of Diversity and Integration at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, conveyed. Linking up with the issue of silence, she demonstrated the power of speaking out, using examples from her extensive research among victims of violence. It is imperative, she maintains, that for transformation to materialise, we need to create safe spaces in which we can share our vulnerabilities.

Footnote: Due to unfortunate circumstances, both Prof Dr Ghorashi and Prof Shirley Tate could not personally attend the colloquium as planned. Their respective keynotes were read to the audience on their behalf.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept