A planetarium is a theatre with a dome on top where educational shows mostly about the sky is displayed.
If your kid is into stars, sky and other astronomical bodies, planetariums are a great place to take to feed their inquisitiveness. The kids come out with eyes twinkling with newfound awareness and an urge to explore more by doing research on their devices.
In case, you are new to the concept, a planetarium is a theatre with a dome on top where educational shows mostly about the sky is displayed. The dome shape stimulates the feeling of a sky and offers an immersive, all visually engaging experience.
Here are the best planetariums around the world, worth a visit.
Galileo Galilei Planetarium, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The planetarium has been named after the name of the biggest sky watcher ever, the inventor of the telescope, Galileo Galilei. Originally inaugurated in 1966 and revamped in 2011, it was designed to look like a UFO. The place has telescopes for visitors to gaze at the sky and find planets, constellations etc. It also showcases an exhibition of lunar rocks brought by the Apollo 11 crew.
Adler Planetarium, Chicago, United States
The Adler planetariums was built in 1930 but despite its age it is one of the most technologically advanced dome theaters in the world. It offers multiple educational exhibits and sessions with experts from local universities where visitors ask questions about the latest discoveries in the space. The structure is home to three theaters – Samuel C. Johnson Family Star Theater, the Definiti Theater, and the largest and most technologically advanced, Grainger Sky Theater.
Morrison Planetarium, San Francisco, California
It is the world’s largest completely digital planetarium with a 23-meters-diameter screen. The content is changed every season. astronomers come for lectures. It also includes an indoor rainforest, aquarium, and natural museum.
Nagoya City Science Museum, Nagoya, Japan
The planetarium was opened in 2012. inside Nagoya City Science Museum in Japan. it is currently the second-largest in the world and mostly targeted at children and families for basic knowledge about space and science like meteors, eclipses, etc. Make sure to bring your headphones to use their multi-lingual apps that allow you to read QR scan codes scattered around the building.
Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Lucknow, India
This Saturn-shaped planetarium has five rings in a theater space and measures 21 meters in diameter. The building is surrounded by stunning fountains. The main auditorium showcases shoes on topics like Chandrayan and other space accomplishments of India. Most shows here are presented in Hindi.
