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SCMP

This article was first published on October 8, 1980
By Staff Reporter
Space Museum bowls Sir Jack
The chief secretary, Sir Jack Cater, was not only “fascinated” by the Hong Kong Space Museum, which he declared open on Tuesday (October 7, 1980) – he was “rather awed”.
He jokingly said that when he first saw the dome-shaped landmark on the waterfront, he thought it was “the chairman’s (Urban Council’s chairman, Mr A de O Sales) new fish bowl”.

“It is of course yet another ‘first’ of Hong Kong,” Sir Jack said at the opening ceremony.
“It is an ambitious project which is an inspiring example of how modern technology, education and entertainment can be combined to provide a fuller and more varied life for the people of Hong Kong.
“It is also one of the few planetaria in the world in which the programmes are fully automated.
“And (it) is the only institution in Asia possessing an advanced film projector capable of using the huge dome-shaped screen for projecting special effects.
“The sky shows and exhibitions will give immense enjoyment to many people from Hong Kong and abroad, now and in many years to come, and will make our young people more aware of the fascinating world of astronomy and space science.”

Sir Jack said the opening of the museum marks the completion of the first phase of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex, which is a joint undertaking of the Urban Council and the government.
The museum, described by Mr Sales as the “newest status symbol in Hong Kong”, will be open to the public from today (October 8, 1980).

Mr Sales said the museum had been built, with the support of the government and many organisations, for the education of the young people of Hong Kong “whose admirable quest for knowledge is gratifyingly characteristic”.
Pointing out that it is the most advanced and best equipped museum of its kind, Mr Sales stressed the importance of “keeping up with advances in the technical aspect of such a fine structure and great project”.


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Awe and wonder as Hong Kong Space Museum opens in 1980 – from the SCMP archive

The Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui under construction in 1978. Photo: Sunny Lee

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Sir Jack Cater (centre) and Arnaldo de Oliveira Sales (right), chairman of the Urban Council, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui on October 7, 1980. Photo: P Y Tang

Visitors admire exhibits at the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui on October 7, 1980. Photo: P Y Tang

Construction workers on the Space Museum’s domed roof in 1978. Photo: Chan Kiu

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News

Hong Kong

Society

On October 7, 1980, the landmark Tsim Sha Tsui building with its distinctive egg-shaped dome was officially opened


On October 7, 1980, the landmark Tsim Sha Tsui building with its distinctive egg-shaped dome was officially opened.


China

Hong Kong Space Museum

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}On This Day | Awe and wonder as Hong Kong Space Museum opens in 1980 – from the SCMP archive

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}On October 7, 1980, the landmark Tsim Sha Tsui building with its distinctive egg-shaped dome was officially opened

Space Museum bowls Sir Jack

On This Day | Awe and wonder as Hong Kong Space Museum opens in 1980 – from the SCMP archive

On October 7, 1980, the landmark Tsim Sha Tsui building with its distinctive egg-shaped dome was officially opened