Nestled in the heart of Caldwell on the College of Idaho campus, the Whittenberger Planetarium serves as a quiet gateway to the universe. For more than half a century, the small domed room has transported countless visitors through time and space, turning their gazes skyward in wonder. As planetariums around the world celebrate 100 years of the planetarium projector, Whittenberger stands as a testament to both the enduring power of these scientific instruments and the evolving ways they connect communities to the cosmos.
“Planetariums are fantastic scientific instruments in their own right as a tool for studying observational astronomy,” said the planetarium’s director, Amy Truksa, who found her way to this unique role through what she described as a mix of serendipity and community ties. “I was in the right place at the right time, and they knew I was at a place in my life where I might accept the position.” With a background in science education and a long-held dream of working in informal education spaces, she took on the position, blending her passion for teaching with the timeless beauty of the stars.
While technology in many planetariums has leapt into the digital age, Whittenberger remains something of a time capsule. The centerpiece of the dome is a 55-year-old optomechanical projector, casting pinpoint stars with a precision that digital systems often struggle to replicate. “Our beautiful projector is still going strong,” Truksa said proudly. “We’ve upgraded some of the bulbs to LED, and I still use Kodak slide projectors alongside an LCD projector for modern images and videos.” Truksa was excited by the prospect of replacing the aging projector with a hybrid system that merges the clarity of optomechanical projection with the dynamic capabilities of digital technology.
Yet beyond the hardware, it’s the human connection that gives the Whittenberger Planetarium its magic. The director’s shows are largely interactive, inviting audiences to engage with the night sky rather than to passively consume information—a trend seen in the broader planetarium world where prefabricated films are giving way to a blend of prefabricated and immersive, personalized experiences. “I think one of the beautiful things about astronomy is that it’s a field of science that is particularly inviting to the layperson,” Truksa explained. “People can choose their own level of involvement—whether they just want to stargaze in their backyard or dive into astrophotography and citizen science projects. All those levels of participation are celebrated.”
In the planetarium, visitors are offered something increasingly rare—a view of the heavens unspoiled by city lights. For some, it’s the first time they’ve ever seen the Milky Way or truly grasped their smallness in the grand scheme of the universe. “I’ve heard sounds of wonder from the audience when they realize that, from another planet, the sun would look like a star, or when they see the pale blue dot of Earth from the far reaches of the solar system,” Truksa said. “It’s those moments that shift perspectives—on our world, on our place in the universe, and on how we relate to the rest of creation.”
A planetarium may seem like a small thing—a dark room with a domed ceiling and a projector casting points of light. But within that space, the universe unfolds. In an era where so much of life feels fragmented and hurried, the Whittenberger Planetarium invites people to slow down, look up, and remember that they are part of something vast and beautiful. The stars above Caldwell are the same stars seen by ancient skywatchers and astronauts alike—constant companions in an ever-changing world. Through its quiet work, the Whittenberger Planetarium offers not only knowledge, but a sense of belonging to something far greater—a reminder that even the smallest communities are woven into the fabric of the cosmos.
For show times, price, and reservations, you can visit collegeofidaho.edu/planetarium.
