Volgograd Planetarium is considered one of the best not only in Russia, but throughout the world. It is known for its unusual history and is a major educational center, whose activities are mainly aimed at spreading knowledge about our Earth as a planet, as well as about astronomy and astronautics among the younger generation. Over 40 million people have visited this star house since its inception.
History
Volgograd Planetarium (Volgograd) appeared in a difficult post-war period. The idea of its construction originated in Germany. The working people of this country wished to make a birthday present for the great Generalissimo IV Stalin. The building itself for the planetarium was built in Stalingrad, and all the equipment and expensive materials were presented by the workers of the GDR as a symbol of the desire of the German people and scientists for progress and peace.
The construction of the structure was carried out as soon as possible, and in 1954 all finishing work was completed. Then the builders proceeded to the most difficult stage - the installation of complex optical instruments andinstallation of astronomical apparatuses. This task was completed promptly, and the Volgograd Planetarium was inaugurated in the same year. On that significant day, a grand rally was held in front of its building, which was attended by representatives of public and party organizations.
Description
Currently, the Volgograd Planetarium can rightly be called a center where natural science knowledge is introduced and taught at the highest level. For all its sixty years of activity, this star house has become the best in Russia and is listed in the catalog of the largest planetariums in the world, ranking eighth there. Guests and delegations from almost all countries came here.
Throughout its history, this cultural building has not lost its scientific significance and to this day is considered one of the main attractions of its city. Local residents and visitors can see a lot of interesting and unique things in its premises. For example, in the main building there is an exhibition of photographs that tells about the achievements and exploits of Soviet cosmonauts. In the same hall you can also see models of the first artificial Earth satellite and the Luna-3 spacecraft.
Upstairs in the upper foyer of this building, visitors can get acquainted with the globe of our planet, which shows its structure, as well as with the Foucault pendulum, thanks to which the daily rotation around the Earth has been proven. The greatest interest among viewers who came to the Volgograd Planetarium for a tour is caused by its other premises, which are worth talking about in more detail.
Star Hall
This room can accommodate up to 460 visitors. Here is a dome-shaped screen. It shows the audience the starry sky with the help of a special preparation made in Germany. This equipment has various technical capabilities and thanks to it you can see more than six thousand planets and stars of our Universe, and moreover at the same time.
Visitors can also watch how the sky moves, a variety of natural phenomena, such as flights of comets and meteors, northern lights and much more. Thanks to the most powerful technologies, in this hall you can take a flight into the vast expanses of space and watch the starry sky from the Moon or some other planet, as well as visit Jupiter and look at the solar system from the side.
This hall also has a zoom lens, with which you can see the constellations from different angles and unique fragments of the movement of the lunar rover, located on the moon. The museum "Volgograd Planetarium" can give its visitors many new impressions. Its mode of operation is all the more designed so that people can choose the best time for themselves to visit this star house.
Observatory
An equally interesting place in this cultural and scientific center is the 22-meter tower, where a special telescope is installed with a focus of 5,000 mm and an eight hundredfold magnification. This optical instrument givesa unique opportunity for all visitors to the astronomical observatory to observe the Sun and spots on its surface during the daytime, and at night the Moon, its craters, "seas" and mountains.
In addition, viewers here can see all the planets at close range, star clusters and other galaxies.
Astronomy site
This place is no less interesting than the above planetarium rooms. There are many trees, flower beds and lawns with beautiful flower beds, among which there are unique astronomical devices. Visitors here can see an ancient sundial, an armillary sphere, etc. Each of these exhibits is described in detail during the tours.
In addition, the planetarium has an astronomical section for schoolchildren, where practical exercises and observations of all celestial phenomena occurring in the latitude of Volgograd take place.
Visitor experiences
Of course, such excursions and exhibits will be of interest not only to children, but also to their parents. Therefore, many people like to visit the Volgograd Planetarium with the whole family. Ticket prices are relatively low: for children - 170 rubles, for adults - 250 rubles, thanks to which such a family walk will not require a lot of money from the family budget.
Everyone who visited this star house was completely delighted not only with its amazing exhibits, but also with the magnificent architecture of the building itself. The monumentality of this building is amazing. Alsomany amazing and unique things in the planetarium await the youngest visitors. Parents especially like the fact that lectures teaching astronomy are also held here on weekends for schoolchildren.
Contact details
This star science center is located in the city of Volgograd on Gagarin Street, 14. The nearby buildings of the Pedagogical and Technical University, next to which the Volgograd Planetarium is located, can serve as a reference point. The schedule of his excursions can be found by the following phone numbers: +7 (8442) 24-18-72 or +7 (8442) 24-18-74. There is a public transport stop next to it, where trolleybuses No. 12, 8a and 8 or buses No. 1c, 33, 55a, 75 and 19 arrive.
Volgograd Planetarium is open for visitors on any day of the week. The opening hours of this center are as follows: from 09:00 am to 18:00 pm, without breaks and days off.
There is no doubt that people who come on excursions to this star home will receive a lot of positive emotions, will be able to travel through the labyrinths of the constellations and touch the mysteries of our Universe.
