Strasenburgh Planetarium Renovation Lands $1.67M — What Pittsford Families Can Expect

Pittsford families who took a school field trip to the Strasenburgh Planetarium remember that dark dome and the feeling of a star field filling the ceiling. That planetarium opened in 1968, just before Apollo 11 launched, and it is now headed for its most significant renovation since — with $1.67 million in state capital funding secured and the full $2.11 million campaign completed.

The SPACE Campaign Crosses the Finish Line — A Year Early

The SPACE Campaign Crosses the Finish Line — A Year Early

The Rochester Museum & Science Center announced this week that it has secured $1.67 million in state capital funding toward its $2.11 million SPACE campaign — the Strasenburgh Planetarium Architecture & Contemporary Equipment drive. State Senator Samra Brouk secured $1.17 million, and Assemblymember Harry Bronson secured $500,000. Those two grants together cover nearly 80 percent of the campaign goal. Community donors contributed the remaining balance to close it out.

The campaign hit its full target one year ahead of schedule. That pace reflects the kind of community investment that state capital programs are designed to reward: public funding following demonstrated local commitment. State capital grants of this type are tied to permanent physical infrastructure, not operating budgets — the improvements are built into the building.

Senator Brouk called RMSC "an anchor of civic pride" for the region and said the investment signals that the community values forward-thinking education and scientific literacy.

What the Strasenburgh Planetarium Renovation Actually Covers

What the Strasenburgh Planetarium Renovation Actually Covers

The renovation addresses the building's full physical shell. Theater seating and walkways will be updated. The roof and observation deck masonry will be repaired. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will be fully upgraded. New accessible sidewalks will be added at the entrance.

The dome projection is also getting a significant upgrade. RMSC Director Jim Bader describes what visitors will see:

"Our resolution inside of the dome is going to go up by more than double. The brightness will go up, and guests will have a much-improved experience."

— Jim Bader, RMSC Director

That upgrade builds on a 2019 overhaul, when the planetarium converted to a Digistar 6 full-dome projection system capable of visualizing data from NASA, NOAA, USGS, and NSF. The 2019 overhaul upgraded the technology inside the dome; the 2026 campaign addresses the building around it.

Why This Matters for Pittsford Families and School Groups

Why This Matters for Pittsford Families and School Groups

RMSC serves approximately 80,000 visitors annually, including 15,000 student visitors per year. For many Pittsford kids, the planetarium is the first place they have ever sat beneath a projected night sky.

The renovated facility will be a different experience from the one Pittsford parents remember from their own field trips. More than double the dome resolution and improved brightness change how the images feel in that room. Updated seating and new accessible sidewalks make the visit more comfortable for families with young children or mobility needs.

Assemblymember Bronson noted that the upgraded planetarium also functions as a regional draw, bringing visitors from outside the area who spend in the local economy. A destination-quality science facility on East Avenue is as much a Pittsford asset as a Rochester one.

The planetarium opened in 1968 with the Apollo era just beginning. RMSC has not announced renovation start dates or a projected reopening timeline. Updates will appear on the RMSC website.