Ecobreves – CUBA: New Planetarium in Old Havana

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

HAVANA, Dec 28 2009 (IPS) - A planetarium that will contribute to research and promotion of astronomy in Cuba was inaugurated this month in Old Havana. The planetarium will open its doors to the public once the highly complex technical adjustments are completed on the projection equipment.

Japan donated 500,000 dollars for equipment and installation, Koichiro Morita, deputy secretary for economic cooperation at the Japanese embassy in Havana, told Tierramérica.

The planetarium has four areas: a space theater, a cosmonautic room, another space technology room and an open-air observatory.

Morita said the Japanese astronaut Mamoru Mohri will visit the site in January. “We hope this center contributes to deepening the knowledge of the Cuban people about space, including the students who are interested in astronomy, science and technology,” he said.