They went to great lengths to keep it looking just as it has always been. All of the new space is underground under the lawn in front of the main building. The original building and exhibits are pretty much the same. They have been refurbished to be like new. The planetarium is beautiful and the new projector is amazing. Actually you never see it. It’s out of sight in the middle of the dome. All the seats are facing the south, and the show gives the impression that you are tilting down to the South, but you are not. The presentation, where the speaker comes out with a glowing globe in his hands is very effective. He walks around the projector as he speaks to start the show then moves of to the back somewhere out of sight as the sky grows dark and the sun sets. It almost gives you goose bumps. The only thing that is missing is a question and answer session afterwards.
There was a little girl about 18 months old, they let younger that 5 year olds in the first show of the day, who was crying as he started, but as he walked around he stopped right next to her and spoke directly to her for a short while and she quieted right now and was ok after that. He did an excellent job. As you would expect with young children being allowed in there were some crying off and on as the show proceeded, but eventually they quieted down. I think I’ll go back for a nighttime visit. It’s only 30 miles from my home.