Moscow Planetarium

The largest dome screen in Europe, a collection of meteorites weighing more than a hundred kilograms, and the opportunity to see a Martian storm with your own eyes — all of this awaits guests of the legendary science education center on Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya. We tell you why the Moscow Planetarium is worth visiting for every space and science enthusiast.

From Enthusiasts' Dream to the Country's Main Astronomical Venue

The Moscow Planetarium opened its doors to the first visitors on November 5, 1929, becoming a pioneer among such institutions in Russia. The initiator of creating the "house of stars" was David Ryazanov, who headed the Marx and Engels Institute. He brought unique projection equipment from Germany, and Soviet architects Mikhail Barshch and Mikhail Sinyavsky designed the recognizable constructivist building with its characteristic spherical dome. Already in the first years of operation, the planetarium became a true landmark of Moscow. Lectures were given here, an astronomy club operated, and the "Star Theater" staged plays about great scientists of the past. Under the dome, visitors could observe comets, solar eclipses, and even a virtual flight of Tsiolkovsky's rocket. Interesting fact: even during the Great Patriotic War, the planetarium continued to operate without changing its address. And from 1960 to 1975, future cosmonauts underwent training here, studying the basics of astronavigation. By the 1970s, the Moscow Planetarium reached the peak of its popularity, receiving about a million people annually and becoming the most visited planetarium in the world. After the collapse of the USSR, the institution closed for extensive reconstruction, which stretched on for years. In 2011, the renovated complex reopened to the public, quadrupling in size and equipped with modern interactive equipment and a 4D cinema.

Multi-Level Cosmos: The Planetarium's Structure

The Moscow Planetarium is a multi-level complex where each floor reveals new facets of understanding the Universe:

• Underground level — 4D cinema, Small Star Hall, and the first part of the "Lunarium" museum
• First level — continuation of the "Lunarium" exhibition and the Urania Museum
• Second level — two observatories, the "Sky Park" astronomical platform (operates seasonally), and part of the Urania collection
• Third level — the famous Big Star Hall with its grand dome

Main Venues and Exhibitions

Big Star Hall — The Heart of the Planetarium

The dome screen with a diameter of 25 meters and an area of 1000 square meters — one of the largest in Europe. The central projector creates the illusion of a night sky with 9 thousand twinkling stars, immersing viewers in the atmosphere of infinite space. The hall's programs are designed for different audiences. "Movement of the Earth" explains the change of seasons and phases of the Moon, "Guiding Stars" teaches the basics of astronavigation and finding constellations, and "Mystery of Life" reveals the secrets of the origin of life on our planet.

Small Star Hall — Journey with Presence Effect

Dynamic seats and a curved screen with a 160-degree viewing angle create complete immersion in what's happening on screen. Special glasses erase frame boundaries, enhancing the presence effect. For young viewers, the film "Mouse Pups and the Moon" is offered — a kind story about curious rodents exploring Earth's satellite with the help of robot astronomers. Older visitors will appreciate "Buran. Space Exploration" — a cinematic narrative about the legendary spacecraft and the evolution of humanity's understanding of the Universe.

"Lunarium" — Interactive Science for the Whole Family

The two-level "Lunarium" museum exhibition is an ideal place for a family visit, where no one will be bored. You can spend several hours here, interacting with dozens of exhibits. Especially popular are:

• "Sandstorms on Mars" — a model with sand and special lighting, where visitors use fans to create a real Martian dust storm
• "Space Scales" — find out your weight on other planets of the Solar System
• "Periodic Table" — an interactive laboratory for creating chemical compounds
• Foucault Pendulum — the largest device in Russia demonstrating Earth's rotation (ball weight 50 kg, cable length 16 meters)

Urania Museum — Touching Space

Named after the ancient Greek muse of astronomy, this museum houses a rich collection of historical instruments and celestial artifacts. Among the exhibits are parts of old projectors, navigation instruments (barograph, sextant, compass) that helped sailors make great discoveries. The jewel of the collection is more than a hundred meteorites of various origins: iron and stone samples, impactites, fragments from the Moon and Mars. The largest weighs 125 kilograms, and it's allowed to be touched. There is a belief: by touching this celestial stone and making a wish, you can expect its fulfillment. The museum also features telescopes from different eras (including Isaac Newton's reflecting reflector), sundials, and a unique collection of space stained glass depicting nebulae and star clusters.

"Sky Park" — Observatory Under the Open Sky

The astronomical platform on the roof operates from May to September and continues traditions established back in 1947. Observatory towers with modern equipment, astronomical instruments from various eras, and educational exhibits are placed here. Among the interesting objects:

1. Samrat Yantra sundial — a reconstruction of a device from the Jaipur Observatory, based on a 7th-century design
2. Copernicus planisphere for determining the position of planets
3. Mikhailov's star map, showing the location of constellations over central Russia at any time
4. 30-centimeter refractor telescope for observing the Sun, nebulae, and giant planets

Theater of Fascinating Science — Education Through Play

A special project for children aged 5-8 introduces young researchers to the laws of nature through interactive classes. "Constellation of the Argonauts" teaches navigation by stars through ancient Greek myth, "Star Bears" helps memorize the outlines of the Big Dipper, and "Adventure of a Water Droplet" explains the water cycle in nature.

Practical Information for Visitors

How to Get There

Address: Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya Street, Building 5, Structure 1 (historic center of Moscow, near the Garden Ring). Nearest metro stations: "Barrikadnaya" and "Krasnopresnenskaya" — about 10 minutes on foot. Ground transport: buses No. 239, 379, B, s344, s369.

Hours and Cost

The planetarium is open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, closed on Tuesdays. "Sky Park" operates only in the warm season (May-September) from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Approximate ticket prices:

• Big Star Hall and Urania Museum — from 700 rubles
• "Lunarium" — from 800 rubles
• Small Star Hall — from 200 rubles
• 4D cinema — from 500 rubles
• "Sky Park" — 200 rubles
• Guided tours with planetarium staff — from 2500 rubles

Tickets are sold online on the official website and at ticket offices two weeks in advance. Prices vary depending on the day of the week, time, and seat category. Discounts are provided for schoolchildren, students, and pensioners.

Why You Should Visit the Moscow Planetarium

This is not just a museum — it's an entire universe under one dome. It combines historical significance (a constructivist monument celebrated by Mayakovsky, a place visited by Sergei Korolev) with cutting-edge technologies of modern science. The planetarium offers quality entertainment for the whole family: while children create Martian storms and find out their weight on Jupiter, adults can immerse themselves in the mysteries of the Universe's formation or enjoy contemplating an artificial but mesmerizingly realistic starry sky. A visit can be stretched over several hours or you can spend a whole day here, having a snack at the retro cafe or "Telescope" restaurant. The "ISS" space souvenir shop sells not only commemorative gifts but even real meteorites. The Moscow Planetarium proves that science can be fascinating, accessible, and inspiring — regardless of the age and level of preparation of visitors.