The Planetanya – A view to the stars

The Planetanya is in a class of its own in the country both in design and capabilities – a center for science, outer space and culture.

By SARAH HERSHENSON
Updated: AUGUST 18, 2016 15:13
The Planetanya (photo credit: RAN ELIYAHU)
The Planetanya
(photo credit: RAN ELIYAHU)
The majesty and beauty of the heavens have always aroused a sense of wonder for mankind.
Now, gracing the southern entrance to Netanya on Ben-Gurion Street stands the city’s new planetarium, aptly named “The Planetanya,” created to educate and open new vistas for visitors of all ages.
Unlike an observatory, which is a building equipped with telescopes for viewing the heavens and astronomical phenomena, a planetarium is an educational center for learning about the skies, planets and universe. Both types of buildings have large dome-shaped ceilings, but while the dome of the observatory opens to allow telescopes to view the night skies, the dome of the planetarium stays closed and serves as a screen on which the astronomical wonders of the universe and the night sky are projected.
The Planetanya is in a class of its own in the country both in design and capabilities – a center for science, outer space and culture.
“We have not only the most modern digital sky show to educate and entertain the public about the beauty and astronomical wonders of the heaven,” says Dr. Liora Dori, the director of the Planetanya, “but also sky shows based on actual photos from space telescopes in NASA space stations. In addition, we have an interactive science park to explore the sciences in a hands-on fashion, in exhibitions and lectures.”
The Planetanya (Ran Eliyahu)
The Planetanya (Ran Eliyahu)
Dori is qualified, young and exudes excitement about her work. A graduate of the Technion, she received her PhD in physics with specialization in general relativity, black holes in space, and time machines. “These are the ‘wild creatures in space,’” she explains with a wide grin. “They are things that sound like science fiction today, but one day they may be actuality.
“If you think about the progress that has occurred over the last century, you will understand that many of the fantastic fables of yesterday have come true: mobile phones, jet travel, Skype and exploration of the planets.
“Our goal is to explore science from many angles, create a learning space for all ages and foster acceptance of others.
It will also be a place to decrease the gap between people who use the technology of today and those who are inventing it.”
The beautiful, open Planetanya is Japanese in character, in tribute to its main benefactor, Rikihiro Madarame-San. He is the Japanese businessman whose beneficence of NIS 28 million helped create the 1,200-square-meter Planetanya Science, Education, and Culture Center, beautiful not only in form but in content as well.
Madarame-San explained his reasons for his donation at the June ribbon-cutting ceremony that he attended with his family, Netanya Mayor Miriam Fierberg- Ikar, Science, Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis, and the Japanese ambassador to Israel, Koji Tomita.
“My desire is to return the good deeds that helped my country and also me personally,” says Madarame-San.
“As a young boy I remember an older Japanese soldier telling me about the Jews, the Holocaust, and the generosity of the American Jewish millionaire Jacob Schiff, who came to my country’s aid during and after the 1904-05 war between Russia and Japan. He enabled us financially in order to win the war and also to restore our economy afterwards.
“In 1970, I established a hi-tech company in Japan. However, in 1975, Japan was experiencing hard times economically, and I was faced with possible closure. The man who came to my aid was also a Jewish man from the United States, and this spoke to my heart.
(From left) Rikihiro Madarame, the donor of Planetanya funds; Nobuki Sugihara, son of Chiune Sugihara, who saved many Jews during the Holocaust by issuing visas to Japan; and Netanya Mayor Miriam Fierberg-Ikar at the opening ceremony for the attraction (Kiyoshi Inoue)
(From left) Rikihiro Madarame, the donor of Planetanya funds; Nobuki Sugihara, son of Chiune Sugihara, who saved many Jews during the Holocaust by issuing visas to Japan; and Netanya Mayor Miriam Fierberg-Ikar at the opening ceremony for the attraction (Kiyoshi Inoue)
Therefore, a few years ago, I approached an acquaintance of mine, Mr. Elad Levy, attaché from the Israel Consulate in Japan.
He arranged a trip to Israel for me.
I went to many cities. After I met with Mayor Fierberg of Netanya, who spoke so eloquently of her emphasis on education for all children, I knew this would be the place for the planetarium.
“I chose to build a planetarium because we all see the heavens of the night and are in awe of the same things. We can appreciate them together in unity and inner tranquility.”
The Planetanya is surrounded by Japanese gardens and ecological pools. Inside, one of the activity rooms has been furnished in Japanese style. Dori explains that as a gesture to Madarame-San, courses about Japanese culture and language will be offered to the public.
Dori says that they are looking for guides who speak foreign languages so that tours of the Planetanya can be enjoyed by all.
“In truth, we may see the sky better in a Spielberg movie,” she says. “However, after a visit to the Planetanya, when we look up at the heavens, we will be excited with our added knowledge, and understand more about what we are seeing.”
For more information: www.planetanya.org.il