Unbelievable: Man spends life savings on mesmerizing backyard planetarium - COOLEST THING EVER MADE

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  • Опубліковано 11 січ 2017
  • Frank Kovac built a working planetarium in his backyard. When he was a young boy, Frank’s dad showed him the stars and he was hooked. Using his earning from a local paper mill, Frank built his own planetarium right in his remote northern Wisconsin backyard. With ingenuity, perseverance and $180,000 in savings, he built the huge spherical structure himself. From designing the entire rotating dome mechanism to painting all 5000 stars (with glow in the dark paint) Frank did it all over a period of 10 years. If you are ever in the area make sure to visit the Frank Kovac Sr. planetarium (named for his late father who inspired him). As of 2018, unfortunately the planetarium is closed. From an article I found online "Kovac said he never expected to make money on the planetarium, a labor of love in memory of his father, but he was hoping to be able to pay the bills without needing a full-time outside job. That never happened though, and he continued to plow thousands of dollars of funds from savings, and finally resorted to a social media fund-raising page when foreclosure loomed."
    If you'd like to visit the planetarium, book a tour through his website:
    frankkovacplanetarium.com/
    For more coolest things...
    You can visit us at our facebook page: coolestthing, Instagram coolestthing or website www.coolestshow.com
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 237

  • @CoolestThing
    @CoolestThing  3 роки тому +7

    Frank had to close for a while, but he is back open! If you'd like to visit the planetarium check out his web page:frankkovacplanetarium.com/

  • @mollymr13
    @mollymr13 7 років тому +310

    I live about 15 minutes away from the Kovak Planetarium and have been there three times, and plan to go again soon. Frank is incredible, and his show makes you fall in love with the stars many times over. It's absolutely worth the trip to see, especially now!

  • @jose5776381
    @jose5776381 7 років тому +232

    wow! this was a man that said he wasnt good at math, but he built his own planetarium, so he could do what he wanted to do if he was good at math.amazing!

    • @iamhughmun
      @iamhughmun 6 років тому +13

      jose cruz it would have probably been cheaper to just learn math

    • @pastelprince5269
      @pastelprince5269 6 років тому +25

      iamhughmun but not nearly as cool

    • @sirknight4981
      @sirknight4981 5 років тому +11

      @@iamhughmun
      Henry Fox Tolbot was so bad at drawing that he decided to develop an early form of photography, sometimes weaknesses can be strengths.

    • @stevethea5250
      @stevethea5250 Рік тому

      I WONDER IF HIS PLANETARIUM IS SUBJECT TO BUILDERS/SAFETY SCRUTINY THHO

    • @idiotidiot5821
      @idiotidiot5821 Рік тому

      ​@@stevethea5250if its a business it definitely has passed safety inspections

  • @Patrick.Weightman
    @Patrick.Weightman 6 років тому +478

    "When I was a child I built this telescope out of stuff from home depot that's so strong _you can see the gaps in the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter._ But the coolest..."
    *BRUH*

    • @louisasmiles
      @louisasmiles 6 років тому +25

      Thurnis Haley I know!!! Had me smiling at his innocence and geniusness. Like, dude, you were 14. That's mind-blowing

    • @MrJaa278
      @MrJaa278 5 років тому +6

      Right!?!?!

    • @g0ferboy
      @g0ferboy 4 роки тому +13

      This had me rolling....are we just gonna gloss over the fact that it can see the gap in Saturn's rings?

    • @Gooseberrius
      @Gooseberrius 4 роки тому +5

      smiler 16 not 14

    • @saintdiegosd
      @saintdiegosd 4 роки тому +3

      *16

  • @guruprasadr6743
    @guruprasadr6743 Рік тому +9

    I cant think of anyone more deserving to be a planetarium director than him. There are so many A graders in math who cant even dream of building anything close, even if they had all the equipment and instruction manuals with them. Its a failure of the modern education system that people like Frank are denied deserving positions despite being so passionate about something. Entire astronomy evolved due to those who were passionate about looking at stars. The formal system has completely forgotten this. Meanwhile, Dear Frank, rest assured you are one of the finest planetarium Directors around.

    • @williamjohnson1739
      @williamjohnson1739 День тому

      Most professional astronomers don't even look at the stars anymore. They are computer jockeys analyzing huge data sets (using math) and staring at computer screens. What Frank accomplished is way beyond them. Long after AI replaces them all, guys like Frank will still be getting people excited about looking at the stars.

  • @tnuhhaon2367
    @tnuhhaon2367 7 років тому +57

    Its a crime that Buzzfeed gets more views than this channel

  • @billbingham3829
    @billbingham3829 7 років тому +121

    I wonder if local schools can schedule field trips to his planetarium. More people need to see it!

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  7 років тому +34

      Bill Bingham They do! It's a pretty awesome experience. Frank's soothing voice and the stars was actually super relaxing too.

    • @wesleyhuggett5408
      @wesleyhuggett5408 7 років тому +9

      Bill Bingham we went there with summer camp.

  • @politicsuncensored5617
    @politicsuncensored5617 5 місяців тому +5

    Frank your dad would be very proud of your planetarium that "you" built. Incredible work. Shalom

  • @lettonster
    @lettonster 6 років тому +60

    I love this guy, he's the real life Toby flenderson from the office.

  • @cheriluzvillanueva
    @cheriluzvillanueva 4 роки тому +5

    He is such a sweet man! A true humble genius❤️ Gotta love the guy!

  • @eggs2627
    @eggs2627 7 років тому +51

    I hope he never runs out of business, it will make me sad.

  • @avaisabelle6936
    @avaisabelle6936 3 роки тому +6

    He looks like a passionate guy with a purpose when he said it’s all worth it when a parent and their child come to his planetarium ❤️ I wish him all the best

  • @fourbyfourer
    @fourbyfourer 4 роки тому +6

    Very impressive Mr. Kovac. What a cool story of a guy that had a big dream and never gave up even when everyone else didn't believe in it. Respect for adding a memorial picture of his father to his planetarium entrance.

  • @beccabean5770
    @beccabean5770 4 роки тому +6

    How could he NOT be good at math! The planning, the calculations- amazing.

  • @joelvinson
    @joelvinson Місяць тому +1

    Frank just seems like a cool dude. Cheers to you, Frank!

  • @nineplusten
    @nineplusten 7 років тому +119

    This channel deserves more subs.

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  7 років тому +5

      NineTenPlus Thank you! Appreciate your support. Hoping to grow and feature more and more amazing people. -Guy

  • @DutchDixon94
    @DutchDixon94 3 роки тому +2

    This man is an inspiration!

  • @Nevernyi
    @Nevernyi 7 років тому +47

    Frank looks like a geniune guy and the episode itself was awesome too! It would be a shame if you've stopped uploading. Keep up the good work, I know this channel will be a hit!

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  7 років тому +6

      Omgplease He was! First thing he did was offer my cameraman and I a generous Wisconsin cheese plate. Was super great to film with. Thanks for watching! -Guy

  • @otto16121970
    @otto16121970 4 роки тому +14

    “I wanted to become a Planetarium director, but i am weak at math”
    Builds his own planetarium....

  • @jurgen889
    @jurgen889 4 роки тому +4

    Well done Frank!
    Such an amazing creation, and 5000 stars painted...just wow!

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  4 роки тому +1

      For sure! The nicest guy ever to film with as well. Thanks for watching! More eps coming up soon! Cheers- Guy

    • @jurgen889
      @jurgen889 4 роки тому +1

      Coolest Thing
      Thank you for taking the time to respond to us, I will support your channel. Really like it. Greetings from a beautiful Cape Town, South Africa - Jurgen

    • @frankianthony155
      @frankianthony155 3 роки тому

      @@jurgen889 Thanks for your inspiring words. God Bless🌠

  • @TimBradleyFromOz
    @TimBradleyFromOz 7 років тому +18

    I love these wonderful people following their passions.
    This channel is awesome.

  • @RELOADINGandSHOOTING
    @RELOADINGandSHOOTING 4 роки тому +5

    True to life “never give up on your dreams” story... and not wasting your energy on people that put you down, but instead, use your time to make your dreams turn into reality...

  • @katiehession2355
    @katiehession2355 7 років тому +16

    Love this episode! And this guy is such a sweetheart!!

  • @avaisabelle6936
    @avaisabelle6936 3 роки тому +7

    “I’m very weak and bad at math” also builds a science museum planetarium in his backyard

  • @louisasmiles
    @louisasmiles 6 років тому +5

    The most beautiful example of not needing maths to get what you love. He deffo has a gift in maths to build this. I'm stunned. Such beauty.

    • @alec4672
      @alec4672 3 роки тому

      Id bet he's like me good at math as long as he has a calculator. People think you're not good at math if you can't do it mentally but remembering equations and processes is literally most of math.

  • @ttv7927
    @ttv7927 6 років тому +3

    This dude says he is weak at math but i’m actually weak at math

  • @walshy2116
    @walshy2116 6 років тому +2

    Just amazing. What a cool and determined guy.

  • @0607dell
    @0607dell 4 роки тому +2

    You should say it’s out of this world.
    ✨🌝🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌙🪐

  • @MarujaRomeromayu2000
    @MarujaRomeromayu2000 7 років тому +1

    Me encanta ver a este joven Frank Kovac y su planetarium. Eso que dice sobre los padres y los hijos es la pura verdad, Su padre le enseñó y él amó esa enseñanza. Ese proyecto es una belleza, es impresionante. Gracias por subir este vídeo, pero en verdad sería una maravilla conocer más del jóven Frank y de lo que hace en las presentaciones, por favor; Gracias.
    Congratulations Frank; God bless you.

  • @justimagine2403
    @justimagine2403 5 років тому +2

    I too have one 10 foot dome, in my basement. It is way cooler than a home theater in your basement and horribly geeky but I love it. This version is more of an Atwood Sphere (based on visits to the Chicago Adler Planetarium). Their Atwood Sphere had holes in it and was dark on the inside with light coming in from outside. I prefer a lighted starball to fixed painted stars but wow is this a neat (and HUGE) version. Most impressive!

  • @MartinAston00
    @MartinAston00 4 роки тому +3

    How could anyone think this was “crazy” ?? Last I checked, amazing and crazy had completely different definitions!!

  • @and5rs
    @and5rs 4 роки тому +1

    Holly WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! This is insane!!!! Respect!!!

  • @anthonirice3149
    @anthonirice3149 Рік тому +1

    I.R.E.S.P.E.C.T.H.I.M!!! Wow!!! I mean I’m amazed really!! And for him to say he is weak at math! 🤔 he is a genius!

  • @choochoochooseyou
    @choochoochooseyou 7 років тому +6

    Good on the guy for sticking with it.

  • @MartinAston00
    @MartinAston00 4 роки тому +2

    Ohhh.. and his little Aurora effect is simple, but ingenious! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
    Love this one👍🏽

  • @rajshekhar2626
    @rajshekhar2626 4 роки тому +3

    I have mad respect for this man. Great work buddy. Your story is inspiring. 👍

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  4 роки тому

      For sure. He was also the nicest guy ever! Thanks for watching, more cool eps coming up this year! Cheers - Guy

  • @redpilledbiker
    @redpilledbiker Рік тому +2

    I am very impressed!

  • @Sebastian-oo7xi
    @Sebastian-oo7xi 4 роки тому +3

    "Just that little bit of time of a parent, spending time with a child... showed to what that let to here" true

  • @hippiecowgirl4231
    @hippiecowgirl4231 4 роки тому +2

    That was a top notch doghouse he built for Sweetheart ( love the name )

  • @doug2078
    @doug2078 Рік тому +2

    Very Cool !!!! great Job !!

  • @L00PdeL00P
    @L00PdeL00P 4 роки тому +8

    “But I’m very weak at math”
    *PROCEEDS TO BUILD MASSIVE MOVING DOME THAT PLOTS ALL POINTS IN OUR SKY
    Also: 2:38 (Lenny face)

  • @arpitadey1846
    @arpitadey1846 4 роки тому +1

    Idk how this channel doesn't have 1M subs yet

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  4 роки тому

      Hey Thanks! We're working on it! Cheers- Guy

  • @FelixSchober
    @FelixSchober 7 років тому +66

    How do you always find these people? This is awesome!

    • @geneanthes
      @geneanthes 7 років тому +4

      I'd like to know the same thing!

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  7 років тому +21

      Had some really great researchers! Thanks so much!

  • @mrakjunior
    @mrakjunior 6 років тому +1

    Inspiring

  • @CharleneHunt12
    @CharleneHunt12 7 років тому +7

    Wow this is amazing! I love the creativity and ingenuity !!!!

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  7 років тому +1

      CharleneHunt12 Thanks Charlene! Frank was so nice too! Such a cool story. -Guy

  • @dumyjobby
    @dumyjobby 4 роки тому +1

    yet another amazing person making this world even more beautiful

  • @trevorbirdistheword
    @trevorbirdistheword 7 років тому +7

    hello and welcome to the plane-arium

  • @luke2042
    @luke2042 10 місяців тому +2

    What a neat guy!

  • @AlasdairGR
    @AlasdairGR 4 роки тому +6

    Frank: I built a functioning powerful telescope at 14.
    Also Frank: I am very weak at math.

    • @gradientascent4218
      @gradientascent4218 15 днів тому

      Gallileo was also building telescopes, but could solve only very basic integrals and didn't knew how to diffirentiate functions. By modern standards his knowledge was no more than Calculus 1.

  • @dannyfunck8643
    @dannyfunck8643 4 роки тому +4

    He painted all the stars with a paintbrush🤯

  • @claudioluizcarvalho1552
    @claudioluizcarvalho1552 5 років тому +1

    Good job and idea

  • @whowantsmymeat
    @whowantsmymeat 2 роки тому +2

    I remember a blow up planetarium they brought to my school that you had to crawl into, I always wanted one at home haha

  • @hank6477
    @hank6477 4 роки тому +2

    i've been here twice with my family! it's so cool!

  • @RudiLaing
    @RudiLaing 6 років тому +26

    2:37 My neck, my back...

    • @Jordiw00t
      @Jordiw00t 6 років тому +11

      Also his pussy and his crack.

    • @abramporras7877
      @abramporras7877 4 роки тому +3

      @@Jordiw00t even though both your jokes were a year ago shit still funny af to date 😂😂😂

    • @frankianthony155
      @frankianthony155 3 роки тому +1

      Yes... Hard work here😊

    • @frankianthony155
      @frankianthony155 3 роки тому +1

      @@Jordiw00t Your a nasty person..i will pray for your soul🙏

    • @frankianthony155
      @frankianthony155 3 роки тому +2

      @@abramporras7877 I will pray for you too🙏

  • @user-xr1yf9vl1r
    @user-xr1yf9vl1r 16 днів тому +1

    AMAZING!!!🤩

  • @napkin_of_death7537
    @napkin_of_death7537 4 роки тому +1

    Under rated Chanel

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  4 роки тому

      Thank you! We're trying! Appreciate the support! Cheers- Guy

  • @skydance8017
    @skydance8017 4 роки тому +1

    Very cool!

  • @yuhunggoh7628
    @yuhunggoh7628 7 років тому +9

    Ive gotten a lot of inspiration from this channel, hope to be as great as any one of the featured people in the future

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  7 років тому +2

      Yu Hung Goh Thank you! Thanks for your support! - Guy

  • @skyhwkz8
    @skyhwkz8 7 років тому +22

    Reminds me of Toby Flenderson from The Office

  • @myfriendschmeeda
    @myfriendschmeeda 4 роки тому +1

    So cool!!

  • @noahpwsc9505
    @noahpwsc9505 4 роки тому +3

    is "Coolest Thing" a TV show? It's so professional! How do they only have 78K subs???

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  4 роки тому +2

      Thanks! Nope, we're just a UA-cam channel for now. I'm a full time TV editor but do this channel on the side since 2012. Took a break with it but really like doing it, so I managed to get a grant to partially fund it recently and fund the rest myself. It's a lot of work, but people seem to dig it which is great. We have more episodes coming up! Thanks for watching! Cheers, Guy

    • @noahpwsc9505
      @noahpwsc9505 4 роки тому +1

      @@CoolestThing This is an amazing hobby. Keep up the good work!

  • @americanroger9285
    @americanroger9285 6 років тому +1

    Wow really amazing work ..now there are people that want to do something& keep on saying that I could do something if they wanted to and there are people who actually do it ..i have a lot of respect for those ppl that actually go after the things they are pationate about

  • @motobacktoconstitution4138
    @motobacktoconstitution4138 4 роки тому +1

    Amazing thank you.

  • @ivegot5onit42
    @ivegot5onit42 7 років тому +3

    Absolutely amazing...I'd go for a tour, seems pretty cool.

  • @neverdonehomestead4531
    @neverdonehomestead4531 6 років тому +1

    Amazing!!

  • @TheAbsolute777
    @TheAbsolute777 4 місяці тому +2

    Gosh I would love to put a bed in it OH PLZ LET ME SPEND NIGHTS IN THERE LOL

  • @jeffmahoney7515
    @jeffmahoney7515 3 роки тому +1

    Great job! You are a talented person that has great imagination and determination.

  • @valerie9885
    @valerie9885 4 роки тому +1

    This is awesome!

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  4 роки тому

      For sure. His dedication is unreal. Thanks for watching! Cheers- GUy

  • @se7encureton
    @se7encureton 4 роки тому +1

    Just amazing !!!!

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  4 роки тому +1

      One of our favourites! Cheers - Guy

  • @ranga4363
    @ranga4363 5 років тому

    I love this guy he never quits

  • @queefman6285
    @queefman6285 4 місяці тому +2

    I can't help but think it would have been less work to grind your head against some math books but the end result is amazing, congratulations!

  • @Freddan0
    @Freddan0 7 років тому +9

    best channel on youtube. love it!

  • @reynaestes4837
    @reynaestes4837 6 років тому

    That's the coolest story I've hear so far...so cool!

  • @carpediem673
    @carpediem673 2 роки тому +1

    That is wonderful and amazing. I hope I'll be able to visit it some day.

  • @WZRDr
    @WZRDr 4 роки тому +1

    Now thats passion and obsession.

  • @excelnalendra5030
    @excelnalendra5030 5 років тому +2

    Damn this is the coolest youtube channel

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  4 роки тому

      Thank you! More cool videos coming soon! like in the next month!-Cheers Guy

  • @jimbartolomea
    @jimbartolomea 7 років тому

    These are really well done - Looking forward to more.

  • @Jpwillerd
    @Jpwillerd 4 роки тому +1

    This is my new favorite channel!!!!

    • @CoolestThing
      @CoolestThing  4 роки тому +1

      Thank you! More episodes coming up! Cheers- Guy

  • @zidneyhaniefa
    @zidneyhaniefa 7 років тому +1

    AWESOME

  • @xrizbira
    @xrizbira 4 роки тому +1

    This people are amazing

  • @JGable-um9vj
    @JGable-um9vj 20 днів тому

    Love this.

  • @sylviem.1299
    @sylviem.1299 4 роки тому +2

    Oh my god the hand painted stars look incredible. What a beautiful labour of love and passion.

  • @angelalordi1917
    @angelalordi1917 7 років тому

    Great Project!

  • @BarbasolOfficial
    @BarbasolOfficial 7 років тому +1

    This is really cool.

  • @jackrobinsonau
    @jackrobinsonau 7 років тому

    Yay! New episode!

  • @silhouettewonders6081
    @silhouettewonders6081 6 років тому +1

    I went there for a school field trip. It's pretty lit

  • @plasticbudgie
    @plasticbudgie 4 роки тому +1

    Weak at maths. Builds something my maths teacher couldn't. Respect We're all good at something, and even if you don't have the talent for somethings your love and passion of said subject should edge you on.

  • @the_snowman873
    @the_snowman873 3 роки тому +3

    I've been here

  • @Juup2003
    @Juup2003 6 років тому

    This channel is amazing so are the people making this

  • @josephwinkler4863
    @josephwinkler4863 5 років тому

    Now that’s very cool

  • @93nomis
    @93nomis 7 років тому +1

    Cool!

  • @DanYocum
    @DanYocum 7 років тому

    Cool! I grew up about 3 miles from there!

  • @bryannah8232
    @bryannah8232 4 роки тому +1

    He has the most Wisconsin accent I’ve ever heard and I’m from Wisconsin

  • @aaronedson5582
    @aaronedson5582 6 років тому

    Quite intriguing to say the least. It's a shame people called him crazy but look who's really winning now.

  • @kingslakr
    @kingslakr 7 років тому

    what an amazing man

  • @buck_maize111
    @buck_maize111 6 років тому

    Legend!

  • @judgedredd8657
    @judgedredd8657 6 років тому

    this guy is awesome

  • @cheeher3212
    @cheeher3212 6 років тому

    Totally!

  • @lossantoscity3249
    @lossantoscity3249 4 роки тому +1

    Being bad at math doesn't mean you can't be a genius.

  • @Hammerandhilt
    @Hammerandhilt 4 роки тому +1

    He's very weak at math!! There's hope for me yet. What an inspiring guy.