There are many places in the capital of Belarus that are worth visiting for the first time a tourist has arrived in the city. And one of them is the Minsk Planetarium, a breathtaking place. We will tell you more about it and find out where it is located, how it works and what its history is.
History of Appearance
The year of birth of the planetarium in the glorious city of Minsk is 1965, and this is no accident. That time was a time of serious changes in the exploration of interstellar space, a time of conquest of space. It was in the sixties that such events as the flight of Yuri Gagarin and the spacewalk of Alexei Leonov thundered all over the world. And a little later, Neil Armstrong for the first time in the history of mankind will set foot on the surface of the Moon - however, when this happens, the Minsk Planetarium will have been functioning for several years. In general, the prerequisites for the opening were solid, and it is not at all surprising that such “windows to the universe” began to appear during this period in many large cities, and not only in Minsk.
So, July 29, 1965 - this date was remembered by all Minskers, who are eager to learn as much as possible about the world of astronomy and astronautics. It was on this day that the Minsk Planetarium was opened in Gorky Park. This location was chosen for a reason: the park provided high traffic, and being at its highest point helped ensure that the aforementioned scientific and entertainment facility was visible from afar. In addition, Gorky Park is the very center of the city, and the planetarium belongs to the Minsk Youth Palace.
On the same day, not only the “space center” itself was opened, but also an observatory attached to it, the equipment in which, in good weather, allowed everyone to see the Sun, the nearest planets, galaxies, nebulae, and so on. We will talk about the features of the Minsk Planetarium and its observatory below, but for now, we will briefly outline their further fate after the opening. The observatory worked tirelessly until the nineties of the last century, when its doors were closed to visitors. It became possible for the public to enter it again only four years ago.
As for the planetarium itself, in the Soviet years all sorts of lectures on astronomy and astronautics, geophysics and even mathematics, as well as on nature protection, were regularly held there. Thousands of people came to listen to real specialists - university professors, employees of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus - in these areas. Particular emphasis was placed on the popularization of astronomy, and ten years ago, on the basis of the institution, they even created their own astronomical amateur club.
In 2011, for a short time, the Minsk Planetarium in Gorky Park (photo above) was closed for reconstruction, andhaving reopened, it tirelessly continues to educate its large and small visitors to this day.
Features of the planetarium and observatory
Let's start with the fact that the Minsk Planetarium is the largest stationary operating planetarium in Belarus. And he is the only one included in the Association of Planetariums of Eurasia (this significant event took place in 2013).
Natalya Afanasyeva became the architect, according to the project of which the construction was carried out. The building itself is typical, typical of Soviet buildings of the mid-twentieth century.
The hall of the planetarium, where you can see the stars, can accommodate about a hundred people (one hundred and twenty, if you try). It is equipped with a dome-shaped screen twelve meters in diameter and a projector made in Germany. This equipment is of a very high class and has a wide variety of technical capabilities. As for the observatory of the Minsk Planetarium, the equipment did not let us down either: there is a refractor telescope of a very well-known and respected company with quite powerful amplification, which, as mentioned above, allows you to see not only the Sun with planets, but also the nearest galaxies.
A little more about the planetarium
The hallmark of the Minsk Planetarium is spherical scientific and educational films-lectures, which became possible after the replacement of digital projection in the hall of the institution. But not only lectures are given in this institution. For both big and small visitors, it has developed unique and very interesting programs in accordance withage, captivating into the world of space and astronomy, leaving neither children nor adults indifferent. Full-dome films (or cartoons) are shown to visitors, master classes are held, and special thematic exhibitions are organized for them, which are interesting and useful to see at any age. The most keen on astronomy can attend a series of thematic lectures and, of course, meetings of the club, which was already mentioned above. Children are free to study at the children's center "Galileo", where they have the opportunity to learn a lot about interstellar space. And this is by no means all the interesting events that take place in the planetarium of the city of Minsk!
Planetarium services
You can get acquainted in detail with the full range of services provided in the Minsk Planetarium on the official website of the institution - the cost of each specific offer is also indicated there. You can also see the event flyer there. Here, within the framework of one short article, we will only briefly, as an example, touch on these two points.
So, in addition to the previously mentioned visits to the observatory (in good weather) and the opportunity to watch a spherical movie (it is interesting that the stars seem to surround you from all sides), there is an interesting program for two in the planetarium. Romantic couples in love - and even those who have already experienced the first flash of passion and are now in a strong family union - will be very pleased to spend time at the "Heaven for Two" session. Starry night - and no one else around except you and your secondhalves.
You can visit the above-mentioned institution both as a group and individually. However, you must first leave a request (this must be done a week before the intended visit).
What they show
You can watch fourteen different films at the Minsk Planetarium (the photo of the institution may not be so impressive, but the programs offered to the attention of guests are very interesting). All of them constantly appear in the poster of the institution. Let's talk about them in a little more detail.
Mice and Moon
Movie for younger children - a story about how two little mice tried to find out who eats cheese sparkling in the sky in the evenings. Belarusian film fifteen minutes long.
Astronomy
Here we will talk about the origin and development of this science, about its origins, history and so on. Russian-made film, almost 25 minutes long.
Ghost of the Universe
This American film has recently appeared in the planetarium. He talks about dark matter, its secrets and search. The film will be interesting to watch, including for those who love actress Tilda Swinton: she took part in the work on the script. The duration of the session is half an hour.
Like the Moon went to visit the Sun
This is a 25-minute story about the Moon's journey through the various constellations in search of the Sun. Film production - Ukraine, based on the folk tale of Albania.
Into the Depths of the Universe
A half-hour film that will tell viewers about the secrets of space,about the universe, about our place in the world of stars, about various discoveries and about many, many other things that are no less interesting and exciting. Made in Germany.
Energy of the Universe
The results of observations of various observatories, the principles of electromagnetic radiation, phenomena associated with cosmic radiation - this is the theme that rises in the film of German-Italian production. Duration - half an hour.
The path of light
This film gives viewers a unique opportunity to see what route a ray of light born from a distant star travels across the entire vast universe. Film from Germany, its duration is just under half an hour.
Two pieces of glass. Amazing telescope
This film is a great opportunity, under the guidance of the characters of the film, to study the different planets made using the discovery telescope, as well as learn about the history of its creation. Germany, 25 minutes.
Black holes
Learn about the other side of the universe, see the birth and extinction of a star and much more, the audience will be able to thanks to the film from the United States. Lasts almost 25 minutes.
Maya. Observers of the universe
Here we are talking, of course, about the peoples of the Mayan tribe. The audience will be shown six of their temples, told about their astronomical beliefs and about many other things from ancient mythology, which is inextricably linked with the cosmos. Film made in Mexico, duration - 20 minutes.
The mysterious and amazing Sun
It's twoshort films combined into a single whole. The first tells about the interaction of the Sun and the Earth, the second - about the nature of our star. Production - Germany, running time - 22 minutes.
Return to the Moon forever
The British-produced film follows international teams competing to be the first to land a manned lunar rover on the moon. Duration - 25 minutes.
Dark Matter
The 20-minute film tells about the nature of dark matter, reveals the essence of this phenomenon. Author country - Australia.
Moons of distant planets
The last film to be seen at the Minsk Planetarium. He talks about the satellites of different planets. Lasts only 18 minutes, made in India.
Many of the above films can be viewed not only in Russian, but also in English. However, prior registration is required for such viewing.
And then we will tell you about the address of the Minsk Planetarium and reviews about it.
Contacts
Phones of the planetarium can be found on the website of this institution. As for the address, it is as follows: Frunze Street, 2. The landmark is Gorky Park, we focus our attention: this is where the necessary institution is located.
The Minsk Planetarium is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Monday is a day off. Films are shown from ten in the morning until five in the evening (5 is the beginning of the last show).
Minsk Planetarium:reviews
Who was in the planetarium of the capital of Belarus, he definitely did not remain indifferent! Not only children are delighted, but also adults. People write that there is a lot of information, it is informative and unusual, interestingly presented. Of the minuses, long queues are noted - but this is probably also a plus in a sense!
This is the information about the Minsk Planetarium. Visit it and let the stars get a little closer!
