MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) _ Ball State University has won state approval for a larger, more sophisticated planetarium and a new greenhouse that will house one of the nation's largest collegiate orchid collections.
The State Budget Committee on Wednesday approved the new $4.6 million planetarium and the $1.35 million greenhouse upgrade. School fundraising campaigns will pay for the projects.<br />
The Star Press reports the new planetarium will include a 52-foot dome that can display constellations and simulate traveling through Saturn's rings.
Dean of sciences and humanities Mike Maggiotto says the new domed building will be “a place to make people scratch their heads with a sense of awe.''
The campus' new greenhouse will house the Wheeler-Thanhauser orchid collection that's among the largest collections of orchids housed on a university campus.
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