Clark Planetarium

Clark Planetarium is a planetarium and science museum located at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, at the intersection of 400 West and 100 South. It serves as a public science-learning and cultural venue focused on astronomy, space science, Earth science, and related STEM subjects. Its offering combines immersive dome presentations, large-format cinema, interactive exhibitions, and educational experiences rather than conventional commercial products. The institution opened in April 2003, replacing Salt Lake City's historic Hansen Planetarium. The Hansen Planetarium had operated from 1965 through 2002, and the Clark represented a new facility and operating structure for the city's public planetarium service. Its creation was supported by a grant from the Clark Foundation in cooperation with Salt Lake County. The new facility was developed as part of The Gateway, a downtown mixed-use destination, giving the planetarium a prominent location accessible to residents, school groups, and visitors. Clark Planetarium's principal presentation spaces include the Hansen Dome Theater, which uses a 55-foot perforated aluminum dome for immersive astronomy and science programming, and an IMAX-certified big-screen theater for large-format films and other visual presentations. These venues allow the institution to present subjects such as the night sky, planetary exploration, astronomy, and natural science through theatrical and educational formats. The planetarium's public-facing identity is therefore built around accessible interpretation of complex scientific topics through visual scale and immersive technology. The facility also includes approximately 10,000 square feet of free exhibits. Notable installations include Science on a Sphere, a computer-driven global visualization system developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Newton's Daydream, an ambitious audio-kinetic sculpture by artist George Rhoads. These exhibits broaden the visitor experience beyond scheduled theater shows and support informal, self-directed learning. A notable object associated with the institution is a moon rock loaned by NASA beginning in 1975, during the Hansen Planetarium era. The specimen remained part of the planetarium's heritage and public identity. During facility work in 2015–2016 and again in 2023–2024, it was secured off site while updates and expansion work took place. Clark Planetarium underwent updates and expansion during 2015–2016 and again during 2023–2024. The available reference material does not specify the total cost, precise scope, or final operational changes associated with either project. These periods nevertheless indicate continuing investment in the facility and its visitor infrastructure. The planetarium remains an active Salt Lake City science institution and the successor to the Hansen Planetarium, with a mission expressed through public exhibits, immersive theater, and large-format educational entertainment.

Clark Planetarium is the modern successor to Salt Lake City's Hansen Planetarium. The Hansen Planetarium opened in 1965 and operated for more than three decades as the city's principal public astronomy venue. It also established a collection and interpretive legacy that continued into the Clark era, including a moon rock that NASA had placed on loan in 1975. The Hansen Planetarium remained open through 2002. Clark Planetarium opened in April 2003 in a new facility at The Gateway, a downtown development located near the intersection of 400 West and 100 South. Its establishment was supported by a grant from the Clark Foundation and carried out in cooperation with Salt Lake County. The transition involved more than a simple change of name: Clark opened with a new building and a new operating and budget structure, while continuing the public role previously associated with Hansen. The new institution was designed as a combined planetarium and science museum. Its major theater space is the Hansen Dome Theater, a 55-foot perforated aluminum dome intended for immersive presentations. The facility also contains an IMAX-certified big-screen theater, enabling the presentation of large-format educational and science films. Together, these venues made visual immersion a central part of Clark Planetarium's public programming. The building also provides approximately 10,000 square feet of free exhibits. Among the identified installations are Science on a Sphere, a computer-animation globe developed by NOAA, and Newton's Daydream, an audio-kinetic sculpture created by artist George Rhoads. These attractions complement scheduled shows by giving visitors opportunities to explore scientific concepts through interactive or kinetic displays. The combination of free exhibits and ticketed theater programming supports both casual visits and structured educational use. Clark Planetarium has continued to update and expand its facility. Work took place during 2015–2016 and again during 2023–2024. The available reference material does not identify the financial scale, contractors, or detailed program changes connected with these projects. It does indicate that the NASA-loaned moon rock was moved to secure off-site storage during the renovation periods, reflecting the care required for an important institutional artifact. Across its history, Clark Planetarium has retained the civic and educational purpose of a public planetarium while operating in a newer downtown setting. Its identity rests on the continuity between Hansen's historic astronomy role and Clark's broader science-museum format. The institution's core public offer remains astronomy and science interpretation through dome theater, large-format cinema, exhibit-based learning, and access to notable scientific displays.

• 2023

  Second cited modernization and expansion period

  [1]Clark Planetariumen.wikipedia.org

  Further updates and expansion take place during 2023–2024, with the NASA-loaned moon rock secured off site during the work.

• 2015

  First cited modernization and expansion period

  [1]Clark Planetariumen.wikipedia.org

  The planetarium undergoes updates and expansion during 2015–2016.

• 2003

  Clark Planetarium opens

  [1]Clark Planetariumen.wikipedia.org

  Clark Planetarium opens in April at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City, replacing Hansen under support from the Clark Foundation and Salt Lake County.

• 2002

  Hansen Planetarium closes

  [1]Clark Planetariumen.wikipedia.org

  The historic Hansen Planetarium ends its operation after remaining open through 2002.

• 1975

  NASA moon rock loan begins

  [1]Clark Planetariumen.wikipedia.org

  A moon rock begins a NASA loan associated with the planetarium, continuing as part of the institution's public heritage into the Clark era.

• 1965

  Hansen Planetarium opens

  [1]Clark Planetariumen.wikipedia.org

  The Hansen Planetarium opens in Salt Lake City and becomes the predecessor institution to Clark Planetarium.

A public science and astronomy destination that makes space and Earth science accessible through immersive theater, large-format cinema, and free interactive exhibits.

• Planetarium theater · 2003

  Hansen Dome Theater

  The Hansen Dome Theater is Clark Planetarium's immersive astronomy presentation venue. Its 55-foot perforated aluminum dome is designed to surround visitors with projected scientific and astronomical imagery, making it the institution's principal space for dome-based planetarium programming.

• Large-format cinema · 2003

  IMAX-certified big-screen theater

  The planetarium's IMAX-certified theater provides large-format visual presentations and educational films. It complements the dome theater by presenting science and natural-world subjects on a conventional large screen at a scale intended for shared public viewing.

• Museum exhibits · 2003

  Free science exhibits

  Clark Planetarium provides approximately 10,000 square feet of free exhibits covering astronomy, Earth science, and related scientific ideas. Identified attractions include NOAA's Science on a Sphere and George Rhoads's audio-kinetic sculpture Newton's Daydream.

• Scientific artifact · 1975

  NASA-loaned moon rock

  A moon rock loaned by NASA beginning in 1975 is associated with the planetarium's public history. The specimen was moved to secure off-site storage during facility work in 2015–2016 and 2023–2024.

• 2023

  Undertake a second facility update and expansionOther

  Background

  Clark Planetarium entered another period of facility work in 2023–2024.

  Action taken

  The institution carried out updates and expansion and secured its NASA-loaned moon rock off site during the work.

  Aftermath

  The available material does not specify the final scope, cost, or operational impact of the project.

  Source

• 2015

  Undertake facility updates and expansionOther

  Background

  The planetarium required ongoing investment in its visitor and presentation infrastructure.

  Action taken

  Updates and expansion were carried out during 2015–2016.

  Aftermath

  The reference confirms that the work occurred but does not provide enough detail to describe its specific programmatic or financial results.

  Source

• 2003

  Replace Hansen Planetarium with a new operating modelStrategy

  Background

  The historic Hansen Planetarium operated through 2002. The successor institution was developed as a new facility at The Gateway with a different operating and budget structure.

  Action taken

  Clark Planetarium opened in April 2003 with support from the Clark Foundation and cooperation from Salt Lake County, combining planetarium theaters with a science-museum exhibit area.

  Aftermath

  The new institution continued Salt Lake City's public planetarium function while expanding the offer to include an IMAX-certified theater and free science exhibits.

  Source

1. 1Clark Planetariumen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Clark Planetarium official websiteclarkplanetarium.org