Exhibition "Out of this World - Wonders of the Solar System"

The largest Moon on Earth in the Oberhausen Gasometer

The new exhibition "Out of this World - Wonders of the Solar System" in the Oberhausen Gasometer takes visitors on a journey through the cosmos. The exhibition, open to visitors from 2 April 2009 until 30 December 2010, offers spectacular reproductions of our planetary system and fascinating images of strange worlds.

The exhibition is jointly organised by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt – DLR) and Gasometer Oberhausen GmbH to mark the International Year of Astronomy 2009. On more than three levels of the Gasometer, unique exhibits provided by DLR, as well as items on loan from space technology companies and museums of technology, cultural history and art, give a vivid and artistic overview of the birth and development of our solar system.

The exhibition

The exhibition starts on the first level, below the former piston, then continues on a second level on top of the piston, and finally reaches the so-called "manege" of the Gasometer, over which the roof extends at a height of 100 metres.

The Sun takes centre stage on the first level. In a circle around this transient source of light, a chronological overview is given of the life and death of planets. High-resolution satellite images of the planets of the Milky Way, more beautiful than ever before, show the transient nature of our solar system. A wealth of information panels provide answers to questions such as: How long do stars the size of our Sun shine? What happens when they are extinguished? And how are new stars born?

On the second level, on top of the piston, cultural relics, historic telescopes, measuring instruments, star charts and old globes are displayed side by side with cutting-edge instruments used for space research. Historical and modern exhibits give insight into the background of planetary research, as well as an overview of its development in the past and present.

Via a third level (the "manege"), visitors emerge into the wide open space of the Gasometer’s main tank. The world’s largest realistic replica of the Moon, with a diameter of 25 metres, is the showpiece here, suspended from the roof of the 100-metre-tall Gasometer. In the almost complete darkness of this vast room, the Moon is presented with the correct illumination by an elaborate lighting system, showing all lunar phases from new Moon to full Moon.

Visitor information

Opening hours:	Tuesday - Sunday and public holidays: 10am - 6pm closed Mondays except for festive days and school holidays
Admission:	Adults: 7 euro Reduced price:  5 euro Groups (from 15 people): 5 euro per person Family ticket: 15 euro Season ticket: 15 euro School classes: 3.50 euro per school pupil
Combined tickets:	Gasometer plus Rheinisches Industriemuseum: 8 euro Gasometer plus Ludwig Galerie Schloss Oberhausen: 8.50 euro
Guided tours for groups:	Max. 30 people (phone booking required): 50 euro, Foreign-language guided tours: 60 euro. For phone bookings please call +49 208 850-3730 or mail to ausstellung@gasometer.de
Address:	Gasometer Oberhausen Arenastraße 11 46047 Oberhausen