Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Cocoa, Florida, US
The Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory was an astronomical facility in Cocoa dedicated to stargazing and space education. It featured a projection theater for sky shows alongside telescope viewing stations for public observation.
The planetarium and observatory served Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, Florida, with a 210-seat theater and a rooftop public observatory. Hurricane Irma caused minor damage in September 2017, and the facility closed indefinitely. In April 2018 the college sought $9 million for repairs, but the fundraising failed and the building was demolished in 2022; a replacement planetarium is likely to be built.
The cultural spaces included the International Hall of Space Explorers, honouring astronauts, and the Discovery Theater, which used a 70 mm Iwerks projector for science and nature films. An art gallery displayed space imagery such as Messier 101. The Brevard Astronomical Society helped operate the rooftop telescope.
The facility was situated in Cocoa with dedicated viewing areas for both evening shows and nighttime telescope observations. Visitors could experience stargazing activities in a controlled setting or outdoors with equipment.
The rooftop observatory's 24-inch Ritchey–Chrétien telescope was operated jointly by observatory staff and members of the Brevard Astronomical Society, who showed visitors planets, stars and galaxies directly. The building also held the International Hall of Space Explorers and an art gallery displaying space imagery such as Messier 101.
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