Stars, galaxies and a touch of nostalgia
Planetarium Bochum
The Bochum Planetarium is perched atop a small hill. To get there, Visitors ascend a narrow path to the listed building. Dating from 1964, the retro architecture recalls a bygone era. Green moss has since reclaimed the once-white dome, and a plaque beside the main entrance bears the inscription 'Denkmal' (historical monument). Inside, a fascinating world opens up, paving the way to the stars.
Technology meets the Zeitgeist
In the foyer, photographs of distant galaxies give a taste of the shows in the main dome, while a life-size model of an astronaut and a large globe set the scene for our journey into space. And yet, the building retains many of its original features, with the floors, much of the furniture and the wood panelling all dating back to the 1960s.
Before getting started, there's a choice to make: lose yourself in the infinite expanse of the Universe or go on a 'planetary safari'? Once inside the dome, it's time to sit back and be amazed. The planetarium's Star Theatre seats up to 251 people. In the 'Fascinating Universe' show, the audience travels to planets, moons, stars and distant galaxies – all projected to spectacular effect onto the curved dome ceiling. Some images may appear slightly blurry – a result of their authenticity. This is precisely what distinguishes a planetarium from an IMAX.
A starry sky made in heaven
The heart of the Bochum Planetarium is the star projector, which brings the night sky to life with astonishing precision. This is where any nostalgia ends, as beneath the protective shell – which may appear historical – lies cutting-edge technology. The analogue Zeiss projector, for example, is complemented by a digital system. "The clarity of the stars is almost impossible to achieve with digital technology," says planetarium director and astrophysicist Susanne Hüttemeister. "But thanks to fibre optics, we can display the stars with a brilliance no digital projection can match."
A place for space enthusiasts of all ages
With more than 300,000 visitors per year, the Bochum Planetarium is one of the most popular in Europe. But it's far more than just a science hub. Later this year, for instance, it will host an experimental concert with the Dresden Symphony Orchestra, in which musicians in India and Bochum will perform together simultaneously. The planetarium also runs a permanent educational programme and is part of the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), a European Space Agency initiative run in cooperation with organisations including DLR, Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Bonn. Even astronauts use the planetarium to prepare for future missions to the International Space Station (ISS), practising their orientation skills guided by the constellations.
Into the cosmos
A visit to the Bochum Planetarium is more just a day out – it's a journey into the vastness of space and a reminder of how fragile and special our place in the Universe truly is. The planetarium remains true to ist mission: to bring the wonders of the cosmos closer to people and to inspire them with the beauty of the Universe. And if that's not enough, you can even tie the knot here – under a romantic starry sky.
An article by Claudio Steffes-tun from the DLRmagazine 177