Categories: Museums
Adler Planetarium
Author: Sarah DiGiulio
Chicago's Adler Planetarium sends visitors out of this world. Exhibits feature what astronauts are studying in outer space today as well as the story of how astronomers first began to study the sky. The Adler offers unique shows, interactive exhibits and the chance to talk to scientists.
For the amateur star-gazer and professional astronomer alike, the Adler Planetarium--America's first such facility--offers everyone a peek into the unconquered expanses of space. Two theaters feature a variety of shows that send visitors soaring through space and traveling back in time--watch out for rogue asteroids. One of the largest collections of historic telescopes includes artifacts used to map the stars that date back to the 16th century. And do not miss the working laboratory downstairs. Only open for an hour to the public each day, the Space Visualization Laboratory is where Adler scientists are developing new ways to understand the vast world of outer space.
THE DEFINITI SPACE AND SKY THEATERS: Shows in either of the Adler's two hemisphere-shaped planetarium theaters will be the highlight of any visit. The Definiti Space Theater uses new digital technology to display the huge phenomena that happen beyond our solar system. Galaxies collide in the newest show, "Cosmic Collisions." Actor Robert Redford narrates the story of what happens in space when things "smash into other things," says Mark SubbaRao, director of visualization and astronomer at the Adler. Spectacular images teach us how the earth's moon system and stars formed, he says.
The theater also runs daily showings of "TimeSpace," which sends viewers back through the ages to explore the universe from the Big Bang to the dinosaurs to today. Kids can explore the universe, too, with "The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather," which explains the science behind the different climates of the planets.
The museum's other theater, the Sky Theater, uses the traditional method of projection to display the stars with tiny points of light. Adler staff suggests seeing "Night Sky Live!" as an introduction to the vast universe past the confines of our atmosphere. The theater also runs "Skywatchers of Africa," the story of how the African culture used their understanding of the sky to meet the physical and spiritual needs of their society.
Great for families and anyone else who loves sporting neon-colored 3-D glasses, "Fly Me to the Moon" follows three flies that hitch a ride on Apollo 11 and walk on the moon. The 3-D show begins with a slideshow of the most recent 3-D images of Mars and the sun.
Be sure to check out the Adler Planetarium website before visiting for show times to fit in as many out-of-this-world missions as possible. Most shows run three to four times each day.
After the shows, visit "Shoot for the Moon" to see Jim Lovell's restored Gemini 12 spacecraft. The exhibit tells the story of space exploration, from man's first steps on the moon to what astronomers are planning today.
For the history buff, the Cosmology Gallery explains how scientists chart the stars, starting with Copernicus in the early 1500s. The Atwood Sphere lets visitors see the stars like they would have in 1913--take a trip inside the hollow metal ball, with tiny holes that pinpoint the locations of the stars.
If it fits the schedule, plan to visit the Adler on Far Out Friday. The first Friday of the month, the museum keeps its doors open until 10 p.m. See unlimited shows and guest speakers. And this is the only time to view the sky through the lens of the Doane Telescope, Chicago's largest public telescope. Or, bring a telescope and museum volunteers on the terrace will help visitors set them up and find stars and constellations.
Far Out Fridays appeal to everyone--offering a taste of all the museum has to offer, says Christine Minerva, an Adler educator for public programming.
A LITTLE HISTORY: The Adler Planetarium first opened its doors in 1930, Chicago businessman Max Adler heard about an optical device being developed in Europe that could project the night sky in a hemisphere-shaped-room. Fascinated with this concept of the modern planetarium, he commissioned one to be built in Chicago. "Under the heavens everything is interrelated," Adler said at the museum's dedication in 1930. The planetarium has seen several face-lifts, but Adler's original mission lives on today--to enrich the public with the knowledge of how the universe works.
In the late 1960s the museum was refurbished and the original planetarium was replaced. The Doane Observatory was added in 1977--it houses Chicago's biggest public telescope. And 1999 saw the addition of the Sky Pavilion, which includes the new Definiti Space Theater, two terraces for star-gazing beside the Chicago skyline and Galileo's Cafe.
IF YOU GET HUNGRY: Hungry astronomers can grab a healthy lunch with a view at Galileo's Cafe between 11 and 3:30. Glass paneled walls offer diners a sweeping view of the skyline. A varied menu includes salads, wraps, panini, sub sandwiches and a children's menu for astonomers-in-training. The restaurant also serves breakfast sandwiches and omelets from 9 until 10.
Check out places of interest near Adler Planetarium:
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore Dr,
Chicago, IL 60637
The Museum of Science and Industry, one of the most beloved and visited museums in the world, has origins that are tied to two great World's Fairs and to civic spirit and imagination of Chicago businessman Julius Rosenwald.
