El Paso ISD and city to celebrate new Roddenberry Planetarium opening

EL PASO, Texas -- The El Paso Independent School District will officially celebrate the opening of the new Roddenberry Planetarium with the city in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday.

The new planetarium, named for Star Trek creator and El Paso native Gene Roddenberry, received various upgrades including specialized lighting and sound, a new heating and cooling system, a ticket room, a catwalk above the dome, and storage facilities.

The planetarium first opened in 1969 and received around two million visitors over the years in its original home at the former district offices on Boeing Drive.

EPISD partnered with the city in building the new 1.16 million dollar facility that is over 3,600 square feet.