This online encyclopedia is a large sample of comprehensive data offering you a possibility to find any information about planetariums. You are given lots of information about space theaters, projection techniques, history, and new developments. Dates of general interest like international conferences and meetings are updated as soon as announced. Our objective is to point out the important role that planetaria play when bringing astronomical knowledge from the scientific frontiers to the public. On these pages you will find inspiration for new projects that may help you to attract visitors and guide them through the fascinating sites of our Universe. If you still miss anything, don't hesitate to contact us.

Have a lot of fun!

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The opto-mechanical projectors achieved a great development in the course of the decades. The very first artificial skies were reproduced by the illumination of small pin holes of different size in the metallic plates. The quality of the stars improved with the deployment of photographic plates, and then with fibre optics. The best projectors copy the night sky very well - close to perfection. However, it is not as straight as the real sky. A trained observer may find small demerits like inconsistency in brightness, dislocation of planets, or unprecise moon phase.

For general questions on astronomy the visitor may ask the planetarium during the usual working hours, for the chances are best to speak to a competent astronomer. Their business embrace the development of new shows, organisation of future events or bringing astronomy to the classes. A superb occasion to find out about the latest incidents at first hand will be public lectures. An extra subject on astronomy is in the spotlight and acts to deepen the general knowledge. Questions are very appreciated, for the planetarium is supposed to be the bridge connecting the professional researchers and the public. In many cases the expert lectures will take place on a weekday in the evening time.

1926: In the first year after the opening in Munich, a boom set in. Many cities wanted to have a planetarium and competed against each other for priority. Leipzig was the second city to open, but delays occured because of long negotiations about the location and construction. Zeiss already manufactured the better model, Mark-II, and they could not meet the demands. When the first Mark-II was ready for installation, the dome in Leipzig was not. So, the company decided to deliver it to the next one on its long list, and this was Barmen (today: Wuppertal). It opened on 18th May, 1926, and had a huge dome of 24.6 meters (image). Just two days later, Leipzig inaugurated its facility with the next copy of the Mark-II. Dusseldorf was also eager to get the honour of being among the first ones, and it had its dome already finished, but its booking of the projector was later. The mayor urged and asked the previous cities to cede their priority. As this failed, Zeiss gave its second copy of the Model-I temporarily to Dusseldorf. So, it opened 5 days after Barmen with the largest dome of almost 30 meters. Alone in 1926, six new planetaria were inaugurated.

A portable beamer for home-made ceilings is delivered with the various Homestar models. The models differ in in the power output for illumination, total number of projected stars, and purpose (e.g. waterproof for bathrooms; extra constellation lines; short film included). Installations are recommended for relaxing venues when providing the romantic ambiance of a sky, for example: restaurants, hotels, art galleries, shopping malls etc. The technology is actually based on the Megastar series, namely "Megastar-Zero". This star ball is as big as a basketball, 27 cm, and weights just 11 kg. It seems a little bit more precise than Homestar. The Homestar models are distributed by the Japanese company Segatoys.