Peering up at the grey building before us, you might not guess the cosmic adventures it once held. This is the former McLaughlin Planetarium. It sits just south of the Royal Ontario Museum. For many years, the McLaughlin Planetarium was Toronto’s gateway to the stars.
The McLaughlin Planetarium opened its doors on October 26, 1968. Philanthropist Colonel R. Samuel McLaughlin provided the funding. His gift made the planetarium possible. It quickly became a beloved institution.
Inside, visitors found a state-of-the-art Zeiss planetarium projector. This amazing device projected themed shows about stars and planets. It brought cosmology to life. The planetarium’s dome was a marvel. It rose 25.3 meters high. The outer diameter spanned 27.7 meters. Its layered construction ensured both insulation and sound quality. The inner dome was made of curved aluminum sheets. These sheets were perforated to enhance acoustics.
The McLaughlin Planetarium offered more than just shows. The Astrocentre gallery featured space-related exhibits. Visitors explored artifacts from the history of astronomy. The world’s first commercial Stellarium was also housed here.
Shows at the McLaughlin Planetarium were a special experience. A presenter would narrate, or an automated system would guide you. Lasers danced across the domed ceiling. The sound system enveloped the audience. Shows covered space travel. Some shows told mythical stories behind constellations. The Star of Bethlehem show was popular around Christmas. One show explored solar eclipses and their importance. Another show explored mythology and astrology. The Planet Venus show surveyed the planet’s history and motion.
In the 1980s, the McLaughlin Planetarium added laser light shows. “Laser Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon” became a hit. Other shows included “Laser Zeppelin” and “Laser Nirvana”. These Laserarium shows drew large crowds. The Planetcorp promoted corporate events. CTV held a fall season launch here.
Sadly, the McLaughlin Planetarium closed on November 5, 1995. Provincial budget cuts forced its closure. The exhibits were dismantled. The Zeiss-Jena projector was sold to York University.
The McLaughlin Planetarium briefly housed the Children’s Own Museum. Later, it became office space and storage for the ROM. The University of Toronto bought the building in 2009.
Today, the McLaughlin Planetarium stands as a memory for many. It was a place of wonder and learning. Though closed, its legacy lives on in the minds of those who explored its cosmic depths. Perhaps you, too, can feel the echoes of those starry nights.