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Learn about the future of space exploration, experience an
Earth-shattering explosion as an enormous meteorite crashes into
Arizona and explore the people, events, and phenomena that shape our
understanding of the Universe.
Highlights of the Adler Planetarium:
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Interactive Exhibit
Galleries |
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Historical space
collections and artifacts |
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America's Courtyard - a
sculpture which captures the change of the season, the spirit of
ancient observatories, and embodies the spiral shape of galaxies |
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Galileo's Cafe -
Provides an unforgettable view of Chicago skyline |
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Rainbow Lobby - If the
Sun is in the west, light coming through the beveled glass in the
entrance doors creates dozens of small rainbows on the walls |
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Sundial Plaza - The
magnificent 13-foot bronze sundial, entitled Man Enters the
Cosmos, is a perfectly functional scientific instrument. It is an
equatorial sundial, a form which goes back to the Renaissance. Its
particular shape is regarded as the most accurate geometric form
in which a sundial can be made |
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Terraces - Unparalleled
view of Chicago's skyline and night sky. The North terrace is
accessible year-round for photography and up-close observing of
the city's world-famous architecture through 3 permanent
telescopes.
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Experience the Adler as never before! The
Adler Planetarium offers visitors a journey through time and space by
exploring the museum's world-class exhibits and famous collections.
The Adler Planetarium 'America's First Planetarium' was founded in 1930 by
Chicago business leader Max Adler. The museum is home to two full-size
planetarium theaters, including the world's first all-digital projection
Definiti Space Theater and one of the world's most important antique
instrument collections. The Adler is a recognized leader in science
education, with a focus on inspiring young people, particularly women and
minorities, to pursue careers in science.
Exhibit Galleries:
Atwood Sphere - Chicago's oldest planetarium, was constructed in 1913.
The sphere is 15 feet in diameter with 692 holes drilled through its metal
surface, allowing light to enter and show the positions of the brightest
stars in the night sky.
Bringing The Heavens To Earth - This
exhibit features some of the cultures of the world that have, throughout
time, engaged in the timeless quest to understand their place in the
Universe, and found diverse ways to incorporate astronomy into their daily
lives.
CyberSpace - CyberSpace is the future
of museum going experiences. It features computer-based interactive
exhibits, VisionStations providing realistic immersive experiences of the
Universe, and a CyberClassroom for up to date information on current
Astronomy.
From The Night Sky To The Big Bang -
Located in the Pritzker Cosmology Gallery, the exhibit traces the changing
views of the cosmos and highlights 1,000 years of astronomical discovery.
Treasures from the Adler's world-renowned collection of historical
astronomical instruments, including the 1864 Dearborn Telescope, are
exhibited in this gallery.
Milky Way Galaxy - Experience a 3-D
tour of the Milky Way and the wonders of our dynamic and evolving Milky
Way, our home galaxy.
Our Solar System - Explore the many
worlds 'planets, moons, comets and asteroids' that orbit the Sun. Drive a
rover that's examining the surface of Mars, shoot projectiles into a soft
surface to size up the craters they leave behind, and finally, sit down at
a computer to build your own solar system and test its stability over
time.
Shoot for the Moon - This new permanent
exhibition highlights the exciting stories of space exploration and
America's bold plans to return to the Moon. The exhibition begins with A
Journey with Jim Lovell, featuring the fully-restored Gemini 12 spacecraft
and the Lovell Collection of personal space artifacts. In Mission: Moon,
young visitors discover the thrills and dangers of being an explorer and
imagine their own futures in space.
Space Visualization Laboratory -
presents the unique experience of a working visualization laboratory to
museum visitors. Various projects are being developed all the time, and
new devices are being tested. Visitors can interact with them at SVL, and
meet Adler experts in an exciting and engaging environment while
contributing their feedback. These interactions help in the creation of
new experiences. SVL is open for one hour on weekdays, from 2:00 to 3:00
pm during which visitors can go behind the glass and talk to Adler space
science and technology experts about on-going projects.
Universe In Your Hands - Learn about a
time in history when people believed that the Earth was the center of the
Universe. The exhibit features spectacular astrolabes, armillary spheres,
and sundials to illustrate the medieval European and Middle Eastern
conception of the Universe.
Intriguing Facts about the Adler
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The
planetarium is built on what once was an artificial island on Lake
Michigan. Northerly Island, as it is called, was the first of what
was to be a series of artificial islands stretching south. The
permanent land link was constructed soon after the planetarium was
built. |
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In
1933, light from the star Arcturus was converted into electrical
signals, sent to the Adler and used to turn on the lights at the
World's Fair on opening night. |
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The
Adler houses one of the world's finest collections of
astronomical artifacts, including treasures such as the
world's oldest known window sundial (dated 1529) and a
telescope made by William Herschel. Some of the oldest
artifacts in the collection date back to 12th century Persia. |
The years since the founding of the
planetarium have seen remarkable growth in our understanding of the nature
and extent of the Universe, including landings by Americans on the Moon
and the exploration by space probes of most of the planets in the solar
system. The Adler Planetarium has welcomed this growth of knowledge by
keeping pace with the times, leading its millions of visitors to a better
understanding of the Universe, and placing itself on the leading edge
among science museums as it enters the 21st century.
Get your eTicket today and visit the Adler Planetarium - truly a museum
for the new millennium, secure in its past, launching into the future and
offering the present in a whole new light!
Adler Planetarium/Chicago Combination
Tours:
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