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Planetariums are specialized theaters that project representations of the solar system, galaxy, or universe onto a hemispherical screen. They have reclining seats and are popular destinations for people of all ages. The Zeiss firm is credited with developing the modern planetarium in the early 1920s. Most modern planetariums also have science- and space-related amusements for the public to enjoy.
A planetarium is a facility with a specialized theater where representations of the solar system, galaxy, or universe can be projected. With the use of a hemispherical screen and specialized projector, a planetarium can surround viewers with a glimpse of the night sky. Planetariums of various sizes are found all over the world and are popular destinations for people of all ages. There is very likely a planetarium somewhere near you; to find one, you can search for “planetarium” and your area in your favorite search engine.
The roots of the planetarium are quite ancient, and the term was actually originally used to refer to a model of various celestial bodies, also known as a planetarium. People used a wide variety of techniques to create projections and representations of the night sky for study and education, but the Zeiss firm is usually credited with developing the modern planetarium, in the early 1920s. Zeiss developed the projector technology needed to project onto a half dome and was the leading manufacturer of planetarium equipment until the 1960s.
Some people use the term “planetarium” to refer specifically to the projection equipment used in a planetarium. This equipment must be able to project images evenly across an entire dome, and since most planetariums have animated demonstrations, it must also be able to move. Modern projectors often rely heavily on lasers to keep images sharp and clean; lasers can also be used to highlight specific features of interest in the demonstration.
Many planetariums have reclining seats, so viewers can see the entire display without squirming. Depending on the structure, the presentation can be short or long, with a wide variety of sound effects and narration styles. One of the most common uses of a planetarium is to highlight constellations so people can learn more about the night sky as seen from the earth.
In addition to a central theater, most modern planetariums also have a variety of science– and space-related amusements for the public to enjoy. While waiting to see a show, people can experience various physics demonstrations, look at models, charts, and other informational displays, and talk to planetarium guides. It is also common for a planetarium to have a regular theater to show educational films or footage from space that might be of particular interest.
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