Planetariums, observatories

The Moscow Planetarium is one of the biggest in the world, as well as the oldest in Russia. This remarkable domed structure (designed by architects Mikhail Barshch and Mikhail Sinyavsky) is located next to the Moscow Zoo’s recent extension, not far from Triumph Square. The planetarium opened on November 5, 1929, becoming the 13^th in the world. The building is currently closed for renovation.

Another Moscow planetarium is housed in the building of the Russian Armed Forces cultural centre. The Zeiss projector it uses, along with additional devices, allows for projecting images of the starry sky, planets, comets, meteor showers, solar and lunar eclipses, and other celestial phenomena on the dome of its astral hall. A computer with a multimedia video projector complements the device’s visual effects.

As the Russian capital is brightly lit at night, the city features a very small number of observatories used predominantly for scientific research. Perhaps the only observatory in Moscow that’s available for public access is the one in the Moscow City Centre for Children’s (Youth) Art on Sparrow Hills. Any Moscow observatory, however, is only suitable for looking at planets — not stars. To do the latter, it’s best to go out of town.

The Moscow Astroclub  holds regular public observations and anyone interested is welcome to join.