The Czech Republic from a Celestial Perspective

Over the summer, the Prague Planetarium is offering all those interested in the history of Prague and in astronomy the opportunity to view some unique projections.

The main hall in the Prague Planetarium is the Cosmorama hall. Its projection surface is the largest in the Czech Republic—843 m2. The systems installed in the Comorama hall can create the perfect illusion of outer space.

The Prague Planetarium is operating in full swing this summer as it presents several special events. Using the unique SkySkan Definiti system, the projection “Prague Crowned with Stars” (Praha korunovaná hvězdami) takes the audience to places through which the founders of modern astronomy Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler had strolled. It familiarises you with Kepler’s laws, which he developed in Prague, and presents the famous Prague Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall as well as the astronomic symbolism on the Old Town bridge tower. You can also look forward to seeing other Prague landmarks, such as the Clementinum and Waldstein Palace.

With the presentation of “Astrology and Alchemy in the Court of Rudolf II” (Astrologie a alchymie na dvoře Rudolfa II.), the planetarium takes you back to the year 1600, when the Habsburg Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, Hungary and Croatia, ruled the Czech lands. During his reign, Prague became Europe’s main centre for science and the arts. You can also see “Beauties of the Summer Sky” (Krásy letní oblohy), “The Night Sky” (Noční oblohu) and “The Seven Wonders of the Universe” (Sedm divů vesmíru).

During afternoon hours, the enchanting story “The Sky for Curious Kids” (Obloha pro zvídavé děti) is sure to capture your children’s attention. This film will answer for them such questions as what defines an earth year, how is it possible for the Moon to change its appearance, and what the Sun and the planets that orbit it look like. The fairy tales “The Divided Star” (O rozpůlené hvězdě), “The Elf in the Planetarium” (Skřítek v planetáriu), “Anny and the Celestial” (Anička a Nebešťánek) and others also have been prepared.

Other planetariums in the Czech Republic:
Observatory and Planetarium of Johann Palisa in Ostrava
Under the planetarium’s artificial sky, visitors can watch a series of organised programmes for both children and adults. These programmes feature interesting information about a variety of cosmic objects, help you identify constellations, take you behind the scenes of space voyages and provide knowledge of natural science.

North Bohemian Observatory and Planetarium in Teplice
The core task of the observatory and planetarium in Teplice is to acquaint the general public with astronomy and related scientific fields. For small children the observatory projects the night sky accompanied by a fairy story and organises educational events for visitors of all ages.

Observatory and planetarium in Hradec Králové
In addition to the traditional projection of the night sky the observatory and planetarium offers other interesting demonstrations. Children can enjoy a special programme including an ‘astronomical fairy story’. You can also follow the special Planetary walking trail.