Some would call it the greatest show in the universe: the night sky. Constellations and their stars, the planets, and even the Milky Way are all sites to behold. But how did they look thousands of years ago? How will they look in the future? And while the night sky may be stunning tonight, it almost feels strange to consider that elsewhere on Earth the constellations are completely different. Planetariums have the answer to all of these questions. Archimedes himself is said to have had a primitive planetarium. Throughout history they have been a toy for the rich and a tool for the intellectual. Today, however, they are available to everyone; the ones listed below are only a few. (click on the pictures to enlarge)
Griffith Observatory
Samuel Oschin Planetarium, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, CA – In 2006 a $93 million renovation of Griffith Observatory was finally completed. As part of this, the observatory’s planetarium was given a complete overhaul with state-of-the-art equipment and one of the largest planetarium domes in the world at 75 feet. With Los Angeles being home to both Hollywood and one of the most famous observatories in the world, you didn’t think they’d let themselves be outdone when it comes to a movie theater that shows us the sky, did you?
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Adler Planetarium
![The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in Chicago, Illinois was the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest in existence today.[2] The Adler was founded and built in 1930 by the philanthropist Max Adler, with the assistance of the first director of the planetarium, Philip Fox. Located on Northerly Island, it is a part of Chicago's Museum Campus along with the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. Photo credit:David Paul Ohmer](http://kathika.com/wp-content/uploads/983122931_7c14d45484_o.jpg "The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in Chicago, Illinois was the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest in existence today.[2] The Adler was founded and built in 1930 by the philanthropist Max Adler, with the assistance of the first director of the planetarium, Philip Fox. Located on Northerly Island, it is a part of Chicago's Museum Campus along with the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. Photo credit:David Paul Ohmer")
Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois – If you’re in search of history then this is where you should go. The Adler Planetarium was the first planetarium to be built in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest in existence today. The planetarium was founded in 1930 and is a National Historic Landmark in the United States. Unlike other planetariums, this one actually features two domes. One is the original, while the other is a much newer example utilizing full digital technology.
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Hayden Planetarium
Hayden Planetarium, New York City, NY – Located in Central Park West, the Hayden Planetarium has the distinction of being inside what is known as the “Hayden Sphere”. Within the top half of the sphere, audience members can watch fulldome video planetarium presentations. The bottom half of the sphere depicts the birth of the universe over a four minute program and is known as “The Big Bang Theater”. This happens to be the second iteration of the New York Hayden Planetarium as the original was demolished in 1997 and replaced with this state-of-the-art facility.
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Chabot Space and Science Center
Digital Dome Planetarium, Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland, CA – This planetarium features a 70’ dome with a state-of-the-art digital projection system. It is a favorite among many would-be astronomers living in the bay area.
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Morehead Planetarium
Morehead Planetarium, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC – Built in 1949, this is the first planetarium that was ever built on a United States college campus. The planetarium sports a sizable 68 foot dome and is located in the middle of downtown Chapel Hill. It is open to the public.
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Burke Baker Planetarium
Burke Baker Planetarium, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas – Opened in 1964, the Burke Baker Planetarium was the first planetarium in the United States to upgrade to a fully digital projection system. Six high resolution, high intensity video projectors must be color and time synced by a computer to create the images viewed by the planetarium’s visitors. The planetarium offers a wide array of shows to all of its visitors interests.
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Fujitsu Planetarium
Fujitsu Planetarium, De Anza College, Cupertino, CA – This planetarium is another big favorite among would-be astronomers in the bay area. The star theater uses a cutting-edge projector that is the first of its kind in the western hemisphere. Its seats have also been recently renovated, which means you’ll be good and comfortable. Above all else, however, the Planetarium at De Anza College prides itself with the quality of its presenters.
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Strasenburgh Planetarium
Strasenburgh Planetarium, Rochester Museum and Science Center, Rochester, NY – Opened in 1968, the Strasenburgh Planetarium is a favorite among those who live close to upstate New York. It houses the first Zeiss Mark VI planetarium projector, which it still uses today. The projector, although 40 years old, is nonetheless capable of projecting 8900 stars, the moon, and our nearby planets as they appear to the naked eye under perfect viewing conditions. The Strasenburgh Planetarium is also credited with being the very first planetarium to be computer automated.
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Clark Planetarium
Clark Planetarium, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, Ohio – While the dome in this planetarium may be small compared to others at only 33 feet, it uses the first Konica-Minolta Mediaglobe 3D system in the United States. The planetarium is located within Shawnee State University’s Advanced Technology center, but frequently offers shows open to the public.
Albert Einstien Planetarium
Albert Einstein Planetarium, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. – When visiting the world famous Smithsonian Institute, one highlight is the Albert Einstein Planetarium. Exhibiting a wide range of presentations, the planetarium utilizes both a Zeiss Mark VI projector that was a gift from West Germany for the United States bicentennial, as well as a first-of-its-kind SkyVision dual digital projection system with six channel surround sound. This is what’s known as a hybrid demonstration, and are they are sometimes a favorite among planetarium enthusiasts.
Minneapolis Planetarium
Minneapolis Planetarium, Minneapolis Public Library, Minneapolis, Minnesota – This planetarium was torn down in 2002. So why is it listed here? Because they’re building a new one, and they’re not messing around. From looks of it, once it’s fully funded and finished, the planetarium will be one of the best in the United States. Its proposed location is atop the Minneapolis Central Library.
In the United States there are is one planetarium per hundred thousand people. That’s a lot. Chances are, the nearest planetarium from where you are right now is only a short drive away. With so much out there these days that parents can’t bring their kids to, planetariums offer an experience that’s family-friendly, educational, and best of all… fun.
Photo credits
Griffith Observatory: jplouis, minuk, maveric2003, Ruth L, jondoeforty1
Chabot Space and Science Center: Go Card USA, sekimura, sekimura, nevermind this, tomeppy
Adler Planetarium: David Paul Ohmer, David Paul Ohmer, David Paul Ohmer, Go Card USA, janeway216, lost penguin
Burke Baker Planetarium: Wikipedia, judsond, Houston Museum of Natural Science
Minneapolis Planetarium: Minneapolis Planetarium Center
Haydn Planetarium: Ralph Hockens, HelveticaFanatic, ifindkarma, ericskiff, jmgold, unforth
Clark Planetarium: Clark Planetarium
Moorehead Planetarium: JS North, Science blogs, Morehead Planetarium
Fujitsu Planetarium: De Anza College, Fujitsu Planetarium
Rochester Museum and Science Center : Rochester Museum and Science Center
Albert Einstein Planetarium : Heidi Moon
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