Top 10 Planetariums In The World

OT Staff & Waquar Habib

Nagoya City Science Museum, Japan

Home to the world’s largest planetarium dome (35 m diameter), it offers a hybrid optical-digital projector that accurately displays over 9,000 stars.

A view of the Nagoya City Science Museum, Japan | asiangames_2026/instagram

Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium, Netherlands

Built between 1774–1781, this is the world’s oldest working planetarium—an orrery integrated into a house’s ceiling, now recognised as a UNESCO tentative heritage site.

Inside the Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium, Netherlands | eisingaplanetarium/instagram

Shanghai Astronomy Museum, China

Opened in 2021, this planetarium is the largest by building scale, featuring a futuristic, curved design inspired by astrophysical forms.

A shot of Shanghai Astronomy Museum, China | idiscoverchina/instagram

Zeiss-Planetarium Jena, Germany

Operational since 1926, this is the oldest continuously operating planetarium, using a classic projected dome to display the night sky.

Inside Zeiss-Planetarium Jena, Germany | Wikimedia Commons

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Canada

Opened in 1968 in Vancouver, it features a planetarium star theatre within a modernist design, combining science exhibits with public astronomy sessions.

A view of H.R. MacMillan Space Centre | Wikimedia Commons

Tycho Brahe Planetarium, Denmark

Located in Copenhagen and inaugurated in 1989, it includes an interactive IMAX-style theatre and displays a rare Apollo 17 lunar rock.

A view of Tycho Brahe Planetarium | Dietmar Rabich/Wikimedia Commons

Adler Planetarium, USA

Established in 1930 in Chicago, it is America’s first planetarium, featuring multiple theatre domes and historical astronomical collections.

A look at Adler Planetarium, USA | Wikimedia Commons

L’Hemisfèric, Spain

Part of Valencia’s City of Arts & Sciences, this planetarium resembles a giant eye with a reflecting pool; it functions as a planetarium, laserium, and IMAX cinema.

A look at L’Hemisfèric, Spain | arunrav/instagram

Hayden Planetarium, USA

Located within New York's American Museum of Natural History, this 'cosmic cathedral' houses a major dome and immersive space presentations.

Inside Hayden Planetarium, USA | Wikimedia Commons

Shanghai Planetarium, China

Opened in 2021, the Shanghai Planetarium is the world’s largest, spanning 38,000 square metres. It features immersive exhibitions, a dome theatre, solar telescope, and cutting-edge astronomical education programmes.

A shot of the Shanghai Planetarium, China | Wikimedia Commons

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