Beijing Planetarium

Beijing Planetarium was built in 1957. Since its construction, it has been presenting the mystery of the vast universe, through its unique ways and tools of demonstration, to visitors generation after generation. In the new century, in order to satisfy the growing demands for knowledge in science, technology and culture of the public, a modern and new planetarium was constructed. With the support, assistance and leadership from the Beijing municipal government, and with efforts made by all people involved, the new Beijing Planetarium was completed and opened to the public on a trial basis on December 12, 2004.

   Major components of Beijing Planetarium:

1．The old planetarium: With a gross floor space of about 7,000 square meters, the main facilities now open to visitors include the planetarium hall, the exhibition hall and the public observatory. The planetarium hall has 600 seats and at the center of it, a home-made celestial body showing system which is composed of tens of special effect projectors installed around the wall. The exhibition hall hosts shows on astronomical knowledge perennially, and in these days it is hosting an exhibition named “Shenzhou Spaceship-Satellite.” In the public observatory, a 130mm dioptric telescope is installed for public observations and for astronomical observation activities of the Sun, the Moon, planets, comets and bright nebulas, and teaching activities for students.

2、The new planetarium:

(1). Digital space theater: The theater applies the powerful functional figure workstation of SGI company for interactive astronomical program performance. By applying the combined functions of the powerful functional figure workstation and advanced laser projectors, it shows the magnificent all-sky scene on the dome screen for visitors, making the visitors feel they are in and be part of the universe and have a fresh feeling and understanding about the universe.

(2). 3D popular science theater: The theatre plays 3D movies about popular science. With six sets of turbo rides motion base like real spaceship in the theater, it could simulate space flights in the condition of free falling, swing and rotation. With interesting and appealing stories and special video and audio effects, it gives the visitors a soul-stirring experience and exploration trip in the simulated space.

(3). 4D popular science theater: Six synchronous movie projectors jointly produce powerful, lifelike and amazing four-dimensional movies on a 180° cylinder wide-screen. In addition to 3D special effects, special environmental effect devices such as smoke, water spray, bubbles, photoelectricity and smell are also introduced along the development of the storyline, thus producing a dream world for visitors while enjoying a popular science movie.

(4). Solar observatory: By applying the Sun vacuum telescope with the aperture of 300mm, the observatory transmits the real-time movements of the Sun to the solar science hall, and this observatory has the functions of popular science education and research.

(5). Optical observatory: A 40cm dioptric telescope is installed for astronomical observation.

(6). Exhibition hall: It is divided into 15 sections. The solar hall, the moon experience, traversing the land of Mercury and Venus, the splendid Mars, a trip to the Jupiter, the wonder of the Saturn, an exploration of the Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, the world of small celestial bodies, star-gazing, space cinema, the dimension of the universe, the unsolved puzzles of the universe, the history of the universe, the exploration-through-game zone and huge multimedia display, offer chances for visitors to know the universe already known in light, entertaining and fun ways, the position of the human in the universe, the relationship between the human and the universe and the latest astronomical information.