Planetarium at the Insulaner
The Planetarium am Insulaner in the Schöneberg district of Berlin is a large planetarium with 300 seats. It is located on Munsterdamm 90 - at the foot of the Insulaner , at the summit of which the Wilhelm Foerster Observatory (WFS) is located about 100 meters east . Both institutions were founded by the Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte e. V. operated with Planetarium am Insulaner , since July 1, 2016, together with the Archenhold Observatory in Alt-Treptow and the Zeiss Large Planetarium in Prenzlauer Berg, they belong to the newly established Planetarium Berlin Foundation , a foundation under public law . The former sponsoring association is involved as a support association and in its own projects.
The building
The dome, visible from Munsterdamm and which also houses the lecture hall, is characteristic of the planetarium. Here find astronomical and cultural events. Next door is the entrance area with the foyer and various showcases, followed by the office building with a seminar room as well as administrative and technical rooms. Behind it is the library , which has astronomical literature and magazines. The library is built as a small tower which - like the entire office building - is glazed and illuminated in a bluish tinge.
The history of the planetarium can be read in the handling of the planetarium dome and in the brief portrait of Die Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte e. V. in Berlin .
The history of the planetarium
The planetarium was opened on June 18, 1965. The dome has a diameter of 20 meters. The projector type Zeiss Vb may 4000 stars on the ceiling of the planetarium project . The building replaced the planetarium at the zoo , which was destroyed in the war and which was used as a cinema for soldiers in the immediate vicinity of the flak tower until 1944 and was used day and night. Together with a small lecture hall , the new building was initially called the planetarium and teaching building . The location at the Insulaner is well chosen because the planetarium and the neighboring observatory can cooperate. There is a complete people's astronomical center in one place, which not only simplifies administration and visitor events, but also general astronomical research.
The educational building of the planetarium was expanded in 1972 to include an optical laboratory . With the construction of the solar telescope in 1982, a direct transfer of the image into the planetarium became possible, because the telescope is located on the roof of the planetarium.
In 1980 the office building started. In 1988 the outer shell of the planetarium burned down and had to be repaired. The technology remained intact, but the copper roof and the seating had to be replaced. In 1989 the library was built. In 1991 the laser system could be put into operation. Since September 1995 radio play cinemas have also been offered. The WFS website was launched in October 1995 . From autumn 1995 the cinema projectors could no longer be used because they were in a desolate condition. In 1996/1997 further computer equipment went into operation: the server for e-mails from members and an image processing system. On October 22, 1997, the Wilhelm Foerster Observatory was 50 years old. In 2003 the planetarium dome was renovated and the seats replaced.
In October 2005 the planetarium at the Insulaner turned 40 years old. The association celebrated this event in the planetarium with a "Long Night of the Stars" and the premiere of a new lecture on Albert Einstein . Since autumn 2006 the cinema projection has been restored for an attractive operation.
The technical equipment
The dome is equipped with the planetarium projector, which is used for various events, but which can also be retracted if necessary. The panorama of Berlin is indicated all around by aluminum , so that the visitor gets a realistic impression. In addition to the possibility of showing the starry sky with different levels of light pollution , at any place and at any time, projectors ensure that clouds are faded in, landscapes and panoramas are shown and falling stars can be seen. The laser projectors and a high-performance beamer can be used to display light effects that can be seen (in fog) in the dome and (even without fog) on the wall of the dome.
Slide and video projectors are also part of the facility. There are also numerous options for adding music and sound effects to the program. In 2010 a fulldome projection was installed, with the z. B. simulated journeys through space or landings on foreign planets can be displayed. The Zeiss planetarium projector was also completely overhauled. The necessary funds for the renovation were made available by the Deutsche Klassenlotterie Berlin (2.7 million euros) and a further 1.2 million euros came from an economic stimulus program.
The programs offered
During the week mornings, children's programs are shown in the planetarium, which are tailored to the age of the kindergarten and school class groups. There are fairy tales like Peterchen's trip to the moon and adventure stories that have an astronomical reference. Monthly themes are shown several times a week; it shows the current starry sky over Berlin and then explains a topic from astronomy. This topic is usually an easily understandable presentation of current results from astronomy, space travel and physics . On Wednesdays, special astronomical topics are traditionally presented by guests and can be discussed by the visitors. Especially at the weekend there are numerous events in which the starry sky serves as a backdrop, such as literary performances and music programs. From classical music to 19th century music to electronic music , everything is represented. The program is characterized by a great variety, also in terms of the origin of the music: In addition to Central European sources, Japanese and Irish pieces are also played. There are many events as concerts that are played live. Different laser shows are played alternately, during which the music system in particular is used. On Sundays, the planetarium is again mainly dedicated to the smaller visitors, in various children's programs you can learn astronomical basics, listen to music and listen to fairy tales.
The mentioned location advantage of the planetarium and observatory is particularly practical because visitors can combine the two. The planetarium and observatory also work together for live astronomical events; depending on the weather conditions, astronomical images from the observatory or from other parts of the world can be transmitted into the dome of the planetarium.
The planetarium can be used for weddings or other celebrations. Lecture series also take place here at times .
In addition to courses of various levels of difficulty, the work of the working groups in the association is also popular. The Astronomical Working Group is a general meeting point for amateur astronomers, there are also working groups on the topics of astrophotography, astrometry, Berlin lunar observers, planets, internet, mobile observatory, information booth, astronomical-geographic excursion, the computer in use, satellites, sun and variable Stars.
The radio play cinemas, in cooperation with Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, were particularly popular . The combination of a brilliant starry sky and exciting crime novels , exciting novels or well-known popular successes has proven to be attractive.
See also
Web links
- Website of the Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte e. V. with Planetarium am Insulaner (WFS e.V.) with information on the history, the program and the observatory
- Entry in the Berlin State Monument List
Individual evidence
- ↑ Press presentation in the planetarium at the Insulaner - renovation and high-tech installation make the planetarium a Berlin highlight. Press release from September 23, 2011 at berlin.de
Coordinates: 52 ° 27 ′ 28 ″ N , 13 ° 20 ′ 58 ″ E