Hong Kong Space Museum

The Hong Kong Space Museum (Chinese: 香港太空館) is a museum of astronomy and space science in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, China. It is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Government.

History

The idea of a planetarium 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.

Facilities

The museum has two wings: east wing and west wing. The former consists of the nucleus of the museum's planetarium, 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 popularisation of astronomy and space science.

There is also a mockup of the nose and cockpit section of the Space Shuttle orbiter.

Exhibition halls

Hong Kong Space Museum has two thematic exhibition halls: the Hall of Space Science and the Hall of Astronomy on the ground and first floors respectively. The exhibits, predominantly interactive, enable visitors to learn through a series of entertaining and educational experiences.

Transportation

The museum is accessible within walking distance West from East Tsim Sha Tsui Station of MTR.

References

External links

• Official web site of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR