The Spartanburg County Public Library is currently in the process of adding to its facilities by building a new planetarium. This new wing will be open to people of all ages who are interested in learning about space. A planetarium is a building that exhibits projected pictures and videos of the aspects of astronomy: planets, stars and constellations.
A public planetarium is an attraction for people of all ages and stages of life. The idea was the brainchild of Spartanburg County Librarian Todd Stephens; he worked with a team of people to plan out how the new planetarium would work. They looked at the size of the site and how to fundraise. With help from a team of about thirty people and generous donors, they were able to get the ball rolling on this project. It is still under construction, but will be opening in the fall of 2025.
“I had heard how many older residents are choosing to ‘age in place’ and I thought about my parents who were 85 and 84 at the time and I realized they, as well as others, would enjoy places that were intellectually stimulating,” Stephens said.
Jeremy Pruett is a biology teacher at Spartanburg High School who reminisces about his childhood experiences at his local planetarium.
“I remember going to a planetarium as a kid, it was really fun. I think more children should have that experience, to see beyond themselves. That will help them see that they are a small part but still an important part of the world around them,” Pruett said.
It is the small things that influence people’s interests and opinions. It may be a trip to the planetarium or watching a launch video that inspires a person to go into a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) career. Take Spartanburg’s Public Library, which was just a library a year ago, yet will soon be an interactive museum of astronomy.
SpaceX is the world’s main launch provider; they launch spacecraft and satellites. According to SpaceX, Falcon 9 is a reusable rocket. Its main purpose is to put people and cargo into Earth’s orbit. There have been 541 Falcon 9 launches, starting in 2010. From America’s first attempts into space to now, there has been much improvement. First, the goal was just to reach outer space. Now, SpaceX is using rockets to ship and hold cargo and to obtain knowledge from space. This month, Falcon 9 is launching almost every day between Sept. 18-25. More launches are set for October and November.
Arrabella Ratliff (9) feels that it is important for children to be taught more about astronomy.
“I think kids should learn about astronomy as it is basically learning about the world around you on a broader spectrum. Learning about other places and the beautiful world we live in,” Ratliff said.
Astronomy and space travel are lost educational topics. It is not something required in school, and there is no large promotion platform for it. With emerging technology like reusable rockets and a new local planetarium, more people can be informed about astronomy and launch vehicles.
Because of the Challenger disaster in 1986, Americans lost momentum in space education programs, according to nasa.gov. With more access to experiences through planetariums, the interest and desire to reach for the stars is within the grasp of Spartanburg’s youth.
