The Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Astronomy in Chicago have been a national historic landmark in the United States since 1987. This is the first planetarium opened in the Western Hemisphere. There are 3 theaters with celestial spheres, a sculpture depicting Polish and German astronomer, mathematician Nicolaus Copernicus and other statues are installed around the building.
History of creation
In 1928, businessman Max Adler and his brother, architect Ernest Gransfield Jr., visited the Munich Planetarium. They were so impressed by this that upon returning to the United States, the entrepreneur and philanthropist began to think about opening a planetarium in Chicago so that the citizens would also have the opportunity to visit a scientific and educational institution where the celestial sphere with stars, satellites, planets, comets, a panorama of Mars, the Moon and Venus is demonstrated.
In 1930, Adler founded the planetarium with the participation of astronomer Philip Fox, who became the first director of the non-profit organization. In some media, his name was mistakenly indicated with 2 "pp", but this is an incorrect spelling. Philip was born in Manhattan, then moved to Chicago. The building was designed by Gransfield Jr. A year later, Adler's cousin was awarded the gold medal of the Institute of Architects of the USA. In 1973, on the 43rd anniversary of the institution's launch, the underground part of the planetarium was built, and in 1987 the Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Astronomy in Chicago received the status of a national historic landmark of America.
Short description
In the year of its opening, Max Adler bought a collection of ancient astronomical instruments, which became the basis of the astromuseum. The collection continued to grow, and by now it contains approximately 2,000 historical instruments. Visitors to the Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Astronomy in Chicago enter the Celestial Space Theater through a fantastic gallery. Thanks to the bizarre planes, it creates a feeling of moving through time and space, which is combined with light and sound accompaniment.
The Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Astronomy in Chicago have state-of-the-art equipment that creates the effect of being present among planets, stars, and asteroids. The complex of more than 10,000 square meters is amazing. It consists of 2 levels, including an underground one. There are several exhibition halls inside dedicated to astronomy and the impact of science on culture and the development of society. In addition to the main theater, there are 2 additional theaters where performances last approximately 30 minutes. Special attention is drawn to exhibitions dedicated to the history of telescopes. In the underground hall, one of the walls shows an image of the Milky Way. Interactive attractions are provided for children at the Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Astronomy in Chicago, where they can learn about the consequences of a meteorite fall or create a crater. There is an observatory behind the main building, where lectures are given and observations of space objects are carried out.
How to get
The Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Astronomy in Chicago belongs to the Chicago Museum Campus and can be reached by public transport. If you take bus No130 or No 146, you should get off at the Museum Campus stop. The Metra Rail line runs nearby. If it is more convenient to travel by CTA train, the right stop is Roosevelt. You can walk or take bus No146. You can also take a taxi or rent a car from a carsharing company.
Gallery
