The historical National Planetarium is temporarily closing its doors as its iconic dome building Rizal Park in Manila will be decommissioned, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) announced on Monday, October 12, 2021.

In a Facebook post, the National Museum stated that the closure of the 46-year-old building will give way to the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and its renovation plans for the central and western sections of Rizal Park.

“Thus, it is, with a measure of sadness, fondness and nostalgia – but also with anticipation and excitement for its future, that we announce the temporary closure of the National Planetarium as an institution and the decommissioning of its 46-year-old premises in the central section of Rizal Park, Manila,” NMP explained.

Built in September 1975, the National Planetarium was established to disseminate astronomical information through various platforms and technology, such as full-dome digital and mobile planetarium shows, lectures, demonstrations, exhibitions, and actual celestial observations.

According to NMP, as mandated by their charter, Republic Act No. 11333 or the “National Museum Act of 1998,” they have the right to further develop the National Museum Complex at the eastern section of the park (where the National Museum of Anthropology and National Museum of Natural History are located), including the adjacent area where the National Museum of Fine Arts is located.

“We are sad to retire the old building, which has in its own way been a landmark in Manila and a pillar of the National Museum of the Philippines as a whole, but we are excited and motivated to work to deliver a new facility that will breathe new life into the National Planetarium as a beloved institution,” they added.

NMP claimed that the new Planetarium will be designed to serve the public well for many more decades to come with the unique experience that only a world-class planetarium can provide.

The National Planetarium has yet to announce the other details and plans for the said renovation since they are still in the development stage. However, they assure that the new National Planetarium will be truly worthy of the name in the present time.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofthephilippines, https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/our-museums/national-planetarium/