Porto Planetarium - Living Science Centre

Category: Civil Architecture > Planetarium

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Bicalho

Location

The Porto Planetarium, Ciência Viva Centre is located in the city of Porto, specifically in the Bicalho area. It is part of the University of Porto's Pole III, sharing its space with the Centre for Astrophysics of the University of Porto, which highlights its connection to the world of scientific research.

Its address, Rua das Estrelas (Street of the Stars), is evocative of the theme explored within, placing it in an urban environment dedicated to knowledge and discovery, in an area with a strong academic and research character.

A Window to the Cosmos

This space offers a total immersion experience in the vast universe. Under a hemispheric dome that serves as a giant screen, visitors are invited to embark on a journey that reveals the secrets of the cosmos. The environment is complemented by sound and image, creating a captivating atmosphere.

Through the projections, it is possible to explore the most diverse celestial elements, from nearby moons and planets, to distant stars, faraway galaxies, asteroids, and comets. Celestial movements, the night sky, and giant interstellar clouds are presented in a comprehensible way, inviting reflection on astronomical scales of time and distance and the place of life in the cosmic context.

History and Digital Renovation

Opened to the public in November 1998, the Porto Planetarium was designed by architect José Manuel Soares. The building was originally proposed in 1996 by Professor Teresa Lago, then director of the Centre for Astrophysics of the University of Porto. Since its inception, it has shared its facilities with the Centre for Astrophysics, reinforcing its role in supporting research and education.

In 2014, the Planetarium closed for a significant modernization intervention. It reopened in June 2015, now under the aegis of the University of Porto, with an advanced fulldome digital projection system. This renovation transformed it into one of the largest and most modern digital planetariums in Portugal, capable of simulating journeys through the Solar System, the Milky Way, and even to the most remote galaxies, or showing specific events and locations in space with great detail.

A Ciência Viva Centre

As part of the national network of Ciência Viva Centres, this space's main mission is to promote scientific culture among the population. It develops activities to support the teaching of Astronomy and seeks to awaken young people's interest in scientific careers.

Its regular program includes various initiatives for all audiences and educational levels. In addition to the planetarium sessions, which are the core of its offering, it also hosts educational workshops, astronomical observations, and lectures led by astronomers. The versatility of its dome also allows for the projection of immersive content for other cultural events, exploring its capacity to create engaging visual environments.

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