Public programming at the Virginia Living Museum planetarium has been discontinued effective today, Oct. 30, to allow for renovation of the facility.

Programs for school groups will continue while renovations are underway.

“The planetarium will be closed while the museum explores the many options available today for digital media,” explained Executive Director Page Hayhurst. “Visitors today are exposed to very sophisticated media while the programming we have been able to provide in the planetarium has not kept pace.  We offer visitors a quality experience in the new museum building and we want their experience in the planetarium to be state-of-the-art.”

The planetarium has not received any major equipment upgrades since it was installed in 1966.

As part of a staff restructuring also announced today, the museum will eliminate two full-time positions (director of astronomy and exhibits curator) and one part-time position in the education department.