The Emerald Coast Science Center unveiled its new planetarium building Thursday, bringing advanced space exploration technology to the local community.

• Former NASA astronaut Don Thomas attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the “Galaxy Gateway” facility, where attendees viewed constellations inside the new planetarium.

The project was funded through support from Impact100 of Northwest Florida and the NDIA Gulf Coast Chapter, with Florida Power & Light sponsoring the planetarium operations.

“We are excited to offer more planetarium programming than ever before, including new shows and expanded opportunities for field trips and museum patrons,” said Kate Fox, the Science Center’s Development Coordinator. “Our enhanced offerings aim to inspire curiosity and a deeper understanding of space among guests of all ages.”

Located at 31 Memorial Pkwy SW, the new facility will provide visitors with immersive experiences to explore the universe through visual technology and educational programming.

The event included guided tours of the new facility and refreshments for attendees.