Planetarium Director Matt Linke shares his love for the nighttime sky and outer space on the big screen at the U-M Museum of Natural History planetarium.

The Universe on the Big Screen

By Danielle Clair, HR Communications intern.

Matt Linke’s fascination with stars and nature began when he was young, growing up in Alpena, MI, a Lower Peninsula city known for its water, woods and wildlife.  “It was very outdoorsy, woodsy, during a time that was pre-computers and pre-games. We were outdoors all the time, so I have a long history with the nighttime sky,” says Linke, director of the Museum of Natural History Planetarium.

In the early 70s, planetariums (buildings or rooms in which images of stars and planets are projected on a high, curved ceiling) weren’t very common in cities the size of Alpena. Thanks to a community benefactor, however, one was added to the town’s museum. During this exciting era of space exploration geared to landing humans on the Moon, Linke found himself wanting to learn more about the planets and outer space and spending many weekends at the planetarium.

After years of regularly visiting the planetarium and becoming a familiar face, the director pulled Linke aside one day after a show and asked if would be interested in being trained to run the shows while the director went on vacation. Over 30 years later, Linke still enjoys facilitating planetarium shows at U-M’s Museum of Natural History.

Soon after coming to the university to begin a master’s program in 1988, Linke was offered the planetarium director position at the museum. In addition to being a presenter, Linke also creates shows and movies for the planetarium.

The planetarium has undergone many renovations over the last twenty years. Most recently, the third (and last) analog instrument under the original canvas dome was replaced with a state-of-the-art digital, all-dome projection system. This employs a powerful computer to reproduce and display the night sky and things in it. Travel from the surface of the Earth to the most distant reaches of the Universe is now possible, in addition to exciting all-dome feature films.

Each year, thousands of adults and children attend star talks and other planetarium shows.

Linke enjoys the work he does because it allows him to informally teach the general public and students of all levels about the universe. He believes U-M’s unique blend of faculty and staff, as well as the resources available at the university, help to make all aspects of the museum’s work a success. “There are so many resources and interesting people here. I can’t imagine doing what I do, the way that I do it, anywhere else.” says Linke.