Located within the Enrique Tierno Galván Park, the Madrid Planetarium is one of the most visited cultural centers in the Community. Its main mission is the popularization of astronomy and science in an affordable way to everyone. It hosts exhibitions, open-air days and many other activities for adults and children, which makes it a great place to visit with the family.
Knowing the Planetarium
Since its inauguration on September 29, 1986, the objective of the Planetarium has always been to work for a greater dissemination of science and astronomy in Spain. For this, it has complete equipment thanks to which it can carry out an intense program aimed at both students and the general public (audiovisual projections, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, public observations, etc.)
Between the summer of 2016 and October 2017, the Madrid Planetarium underwent a major renovation that has modernized it with the most avant-garde techniques. To carry out its informative work, the planetarium has several rooms and facilities:
Projection room
The Madrid Planetarium Projection Room is the center of activities at the center. It has a dome 17,5 meters in diameter on which images of the earth's vault are projected and offers spectacular views of the city as it is located at about 600 meters high. It has a multivision system made up of a hundred slide projectors and a score of speakers that produce panoramic effects on the dome, creating a hemispherical image that envelops the viewer.
The screenings offered at the Madrid Planetarium are periodically renewed and last approximately 30 minutes.
Video room
In which informative videos with scientific content are projected.
Three exhibition areas
Two exhibition halls and a lobby, where exhibitions of their own production are installed.
Image | Wikimedia Commons
Rear projection screen room
On the outside of the projection room there is a curved panoramic rear projection screen with a length of 9 m. On this screen you can see short audiovisuals on astronomical topics.
Showroom
Activities and exhibitions are held with different themes from those that take place in the rest of the building.
Observatory tower
The Planetarium Observatory Tower is 28 meters high and has a 3 meter diameter dome. Inside the tower there is a Coudé refractor telescope with an aperture of 150 millimeters and a focal length of 2,25 meters, from which the sky can be contemplated.
Activities at the Madrid Planetarium
Universe projections
The Planetarium produces its own documentaries for all ages such as Voyage through the cosmos, Dark Universe, Spherium or Chloe's Sky.
Exhibitions
It also organizes exhibitions related to science and astronomy such as Our place in the Universe, The colors of the deep sky or Climate Change and Europe in space.
Lectures and exhibitions on stars
The Planetarium also hosts lectures for school children and the general public. In this sense, it is best to take a look at the program of the space on its own website.
Easy astronomy workshops for children
On weekend mornings the Planetarium offers workshops for the little ones to learn about astronomy in an easy and fun way and adapted to their ages.
Image | Wikipedia
Madrid Planetarium hours
Tuesday to Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 13:45 p.m. (reserved for schoolchildren) and from 17:19 p.m. to 45:10 p.m. Weekends and holidays, from 13 a.m. to 45:17 p.m. and from 19 p.m. to 45:XNUMX p.m.
The center is closed every Monday of the year as well as on January 1 and 6, May 1 or December 24, 25 and 31.
Entrance price
Access to the Madrid Planetarium is free. It is only necessary to pay a ticket to attend the Projection Room. In this case the price is:
- Adults: 3,60 euros.
- Under 14 and over 65: 1,65 euros.
- Arranged groups (minimum 15 people): 2,80 euros.
- Special sessions for students (prior reservation): 1,65 euros.
Address
The Madrid Planetarium is very well connected by public transport:
- Metro: Méndez Álvaro (line 6)
- Buses: 148, 156
- BICIMAD: Station 177 (Calle Bolívar 3)