Matthew McMahon, Collections Officer at AOP and lead editor of new book ‘100 Years of Planetaria’. Image Credit: AOP
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) is celebrating a major milestone in the history of astronomy and science education with the launch of a new international publication:100 Years of Planetaria: 100 Stories of People, Places, and Devices, co-edited by AOP’s own Matthew McMahon.
Published by Springer Praxis, the book honours the centenary of the first public planetarium, which opened its doors at the Deutsches Museum in Munich in May 1925, showcasing the ground-breaking Zeiss Mark I opto-mechanical projector. Over the next century, the planetarium evolved into a global symbol of science, culture, and imagination.
As the lead editor of this landmark volume, McMahon worked alongside co-editors Pedro M.P. Raposo, Mike Smail, and Katherine Boyce-Jacino in the USA to bring together 100 stories from around the world, from more than forty contributors. The book explores the global impact of planetaria through key people, pioneering technologies, and cultural moments that have shaped public understanding of the cosmos.
“Planetaria are more than domes – they are cultural touchstones where science meets storytelling,” said Matthew McMahon, Museum Collections Officer at AOP. “This book was created to honour the inventiveness and passion of the countless individuals who have shaped and advanced the modern planetarium.”
To mark the 100-year anniversary, AOP is offering a free community dome show at 3pm each day from Tuesday 6th to Friday 9th May, open to all members of the public. The show will highlight the history of the planetarium, its global influence, and AOP’s unique role in this evolution.
Image Credit: AOP
Prof. Michael Burton, Director of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, praised the book’s contribution to international science communication:
“Matthew’s work on this book puts Armagh firmly on the global stage and the contributions Armagh has made to the development of the modern planetarium. It recognises the planetarium as an incredible tool for science outreach and education – something we at AOP are deeply committed to. We’re proud to celebrate both this international milestone and the achievements of our own team in bringing this history to life.”
Available now via Springer and Amazon, 100 Years of Planetaria connects readers to a diverse range of contributors – including scientists, planetarium professionals, historians, artists, and educators – who reflect on how these spaces continue to inspire wonder and curiosity across generations.