About the Planetarium

The UWM Planetarium is equipped with a Spitz A3P optomechanical projector that projects stars, planets, the Sun, and the Moon on the Planetarium’s 30-foot dome. Four digital projectors and separate special projectors are also used for visual effects such a rotating Milky Way Galaxy and the Aurora Borealis. The Observatory deck on the roof of the Physics building is used for our stargazing sessions. We use a 14 inch Celestron on a Paramount MX+ robotic pedestal mount for stargazing. We also own and operate a 10″ Meade LX200, 8″ Celestron with Solar filter, and a 6″ Mead.

Every year, the UWM Planetarium hosts approximately 15,000 visitors (and sometimes many more!) including thousands of K-12 students, visitors at public events, and other private groups like birthdays and scout groups. We have offered unique employment opportunities to hundreds of UWM students, who gain real-life skills directly applicable to their majors and future careers. We also host unique collaborations such as with Our Shared Sky, large-scale public events like the 2024 Solar Eclipse, and more.

Built in 1965, the UWM Planetarium opened its doors in 1966 and was named after Manfred Olson (1903-1966), a professor of physics from 1931 to 1963. A native of Wisconsin, Olson’s 32-year career took him to such places as the University of Chicago Metallurgical Laboratory (1943) and to Los Alamos, New Mexico (1947-1949) as senior physicist in the research and development of Geiger counter systems. Upon retiring from UWM in 1963, he became the Planetarium director and a part-time lecturer in the Physics Department.

Dr. Jean Creighton became director of the UWM Planetarium in 2007 with the dream of heightening its visibility by offering astronomical programs to the general public and to private groups such as scout and school groups. Under her directorship, interest and attendance at the Planetarium has skyrocketed, giving children and adults alike the opportunity to share in her enthusiasm and love for astronomy!