Hong Kong Space Museum
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Space Museum is a museum
of astronomy
and space science
in Tsim Sha Tsui
, Hong Kong
. It is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
of the Hong Kong Government.
was originally proposed in 1961 by the Urban Council of Hong Kong. Ten years later, the Urban Services Department
(USD) set up a working group to study overseas experience in establishing planetariums. The study was aimed at laying the groundwork for setting up the future Hong Kong Space Museum. The Hong Kong Government decided to build the museum at Tsim Sha Tsui
and invited Mr. Joseph Liu to serve as Planetarium Advisor.
In 1974, The USD signed contract
with the Carl Zeiss Company to purchase a planetarium and other equipment with a price of HK$
3,050,000.
Its construction commenced in 1977 by Urban Council and was opened on 8 October 1980.
, which has an egg-shaped dome structure. Beneath it are the Stanley Ho Space Theatre, the Hall of Space Science, workshops and offices. The west wing houses the Hall of Astronomy, the Lecture Hall, a gift shop and offices.
The planetarium's egg-shaped dome covers more than 8,000 square meters, making it a famous landmark in Hong Kong. It was the first local planetarium for the popularization of astronomy and space science.
There is also a mockup of the nose and cockpit section of the Space Shuttle
orbiter.
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
of astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and space science
Space science
The term space science may mean:* The study of issues specifically related to space travel and space exploration, including space medicine.* Science performed in outer space ....
in Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Leisure and Cultural Services Department
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department , often abbreviated as LCSD, is a department in the Government of Hong Kong. It reports to the Home Affairs Bureau, headed by the Secretary for Home Affairs. It provides leisure and cultural activities for the people of Hong Kong, which was also one of...
of the Hong Kong Government.
History
The idea of a planetariumPlanetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
was originally proposed in 1961 by the Urban Council of Hong Kong. Ten years later, the Urban Services Department
Urban Services Department
Urban Services Department was a government department in Hong Kong. It carried out the policies and managed the facilities of the former Urban Council.After being abolished with the Urban Council in 1999, its functions were inherited by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure...
(USD) set up a working group to study overseas experience in establishing planetariums. The study was aimed at laying the groundwork for setting up the future Hong Kong Space Museum. The Hong Kong Government decided to build the museum at Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
and invited Mr. Joseph Liu to serve as Planetarium Advisor.
In 1974, The USD signed contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
with the Carl Zeiss Company to purchase a planetarium and other equipment with a price of HK$
Hong Kong dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
3,050,000.
Its construction commenced in 1977 by Urban Council and was opened on 8 October 1980.
Facilities
The museum has two wings: east wing and west wing. The former consists of the nucleus of the museum's planetariumPlanetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
, which has an egg-shaped dome structure. Beneath it are the Stanley Ho Space Theatre, the Hall of Space Science, workshops and offices. The west wing houses the Hall of Astronomy, the Lecture Hall, a gift shop and offices.
The planetarium's egg-shaped dome covers more than 8,000 square meters, making it a famous landmark in Hong Kong. It was the first local planetarium for the popularization of astronomy and space science.
There is also a mockup of the nose and cockpit section of the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
orbiter.