Marinha Planetarium

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Planetarium

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Restelo

Location

The Maritime Planetarium is located in the Restelo area, in Lisbon. This location, in the western part of the city, places it in an urban setting that invites the exploration of broad horizons. It is a space dedicated to unveiling the mysteries of the sky, providing an immersive perspective of the cosmos.

Its Origin

The creation of the Maritime Planetarium resulted from the vision of a Portuguese Navy officer, Commander Eugénio Conceição Silva, who was fascinated by astronomy and dreamed of bringing similar equipment to Lisbon. This dream materialized through a partnership between the Portuguese Navy and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Its inauguration took place on July 20, 1965, marking a significant moment for scientific dissemination in Portugal. The architectural project was authored by Frederico George.

A Window to the Cosmos

At the heart of the Planetarium is its monumental dome, with a 23-meter diameter, one of the largest in Europe and one of the central elements of the visitor experience. Beneath this dome, visitors are transported into a complete immersion in the universe, feeling as if they are floating among stars and galaxies. The shows allow observation of celestial phenomena and understanding of the complexities of the cosmos in an engaging way. The venue also features a gallery with various thematic exhibitions and a library with a vast collection, complementing the journey through knowledge.

Legacy and Innovation

Since its inauguration, the Maritime Planetarium has been a pillar in the dissemination of astronomy and science in Portugal, participating in various national and international projects. Its projection capabilities have evolved significantly, from its initial optical projector from Zeiss, which operated uninterruptedly for decades, to the current hybrid system. This innovative system combines a high-precision optical projector with eight digital projectors that cover the entire dome, allowing the display of a wide range of content. Thus, the Planetarium today offers not only immersive journeys through the universe but also approaches to other areas of knowledge, such as life sciences, history, or sports, using one of the most advanced projection technologies. Its size and technology position it as one of the largest and most innovative in Europe.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt