Chicago, IL

Adler Planetarium in Chicago

Address: 1300 South Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605 - MAP
Phone: (312) 922 7827
Web: www.adlerplanetarium.org

The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum was the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest in existence today. The planetarium was founded by philanthropist Max Adler and built in Chicago in 1930.

There are three full-size theaters at the planetarium. The Adler presents the night sky in its various forms on the the dome covering the Sky Theater planetarium. The projector is capable of recreating every aspect and movement of the night sky. The Definiti Space Theater was added in 1999, complete with a digital fulldome video environment.

Outside the planetarium, there are sculptures, including one called Man Enters the Cosmos that depicts a sundial; and another is a statue of famous astronomer Nicholas Copernicus. Other works of art decorate the museum like the lobby's dedication plaque. The plaque depicts the gods and goddesses that represent each planet, with the exception of Pluto because it wasn't discovered at the time of the plaque's design.