{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2017-11-14T05:31:49+00:00","modifiedTime":"2017-11-14T05:31:49+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:16:00+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33756"},"slug":"science","categoryId":33756},{"name":"Astronomy","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33758"},"slug":"astronomy","categoryId":33758}],"title":"Planetariums for Beginning Astronomers","strippedTitle":"planetariums for beginning astronomers","slug":"planetariums-beginning-astronomers","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Planetariums, also called planetaria, are just right for beginning astronomers. They provide instructive exhibits and project wonderful sky shows indoors on the","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Planetariums, also called <em>planetaria,</em> are just right for beginning astronomers. They provide instructive exhibits and project wonderful sky shows indoors on the planetarium dome or on a huge screen. And many offer nighttime skywatching sessions with small telescopes, usually held outside in the parking lot, in an adjacent small observatory dome, or at a nearby public park.\r\n\r\nMany have excellent shops where you can browse the latest astronomy books, magazines, and star charts. The planetarium staff can also direct you to the nearest astronomy club, which may even meet after hours in the planetarium itself.\r\n\r\nThe old Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City was torn down, but a fine new one has replaced it. Make this planetarium, which is part of the Rose Center for Earth and Space, a prime destination when you visit the Big Apple. It's pricey but still much cheaper than a Broadway show, and its stars never miss a cue or sing off key (just don't try to sneak in)! Visitor information is on the <a href=\"http://www.amnh.org/visitors/plan-your-visit\">American Museum's website</a>.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">You can find a list of planetariums in the United States, with links to their websites. To search for planetariums worldwide, consult the almost-400-page directory maintained by the International Planetarium Society.</p>","description":"Planetariums, also called <em>planetaria,</em> are just right for beginning astronomers. They provide instructive exhibits and project wonderful sky shows indoors on the planetarium dome or on a huge screen. And many offer nighttime skywatching sessions with small telescopes, usually held outside in the parking lot, in an adjacent small observatory dome, or at a nearby public park.\r\n\r\nMany have excellent shops where you can browse the latest astronomy books, magazines, and star charts. The planetarium staff can also direct you to the nearest astronomy club, which may even meet after hours in the planetarium itself.\r\n\r\nThe old Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City was torn down, but a fine new one has replaced it. Make this planetarium, which is part of the Rose Center for Earth and Space, a prime destination when you visit the Big Apple. It's pricey but still much cheaper than a Broadway show, and its stars never miss a cue or sing off key (just don't try to sneak in)! Visitor information is on the <a href=\"http://www.amnh.org/visitors/plan-your-visit\">American Museum's website</a>.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">You can find a list of planetariums in the United States, with links to their websites. To search for planetariums worldwide, consult the almost-400-page directory maintained by the International Planetarium Society.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9879,"name":"Stephen P. Maran","slug":"stephen-p-maran","description":" <p><b>Stephen P. Maran, PhD,</b> is the retired assistant director of space sciences for information and outreach at the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center. An investigator of stars, nebulae, and comets, he worked on the Hubble Space Telescope, Space Shuttle missions, Skylab, and other NASA projects. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9879"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33758,"title":"Astronomy","slug":"astronomy","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33758"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":246769,"title":"Skywatching for Artificial Satellites","slug":"skywatching-artificial-satellites","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/246769"}},{"articleId":246764,"title":"Making Heads and Tails of a Comet's Structure","slug":"making-heads-tails-comets-structure","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/246764"}},{"articleId":246761,"title":"Photographing Meteors and Meteor Showers","slug":"photographing-meteors-meteor-showers","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/246761"}},{"articleId":246756,"title":"Viewing Meteor Showers","slug":"viewing-meteor-showers","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/246756"}},{"articleId":246753,"title":"Spotting Sporadic Meteors, Fireballs, and Bolides","slug":"spotting-sporadic-meteors-fireballs-bolides","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/246753"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":292167,"title":"The Magic of the Moon and the Total Lunar Eclipse","slug":"dont-miss-out-on-this-months-lunar-eclipse","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/292167"}},{"articleId":246769,"title":"Skywatching for Artificial Satellites","slug":"skywatching-artificial-satellites","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/246769"}},{"articleId":246764,"title":"Making Heads and Tails of a Comet's Structure","slug":"making-heads-tails-comets-structure","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/246764"}},{"articleId":246761,"title":"Photographing Meteors and Meteor Showers","slug":"photographing-meteors-meteor-showers","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/246761"}},{"articleId":246756,"title":"Viewing Meteor Showers","slug":"viewing-meteor-showers","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/246756"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281963,"slug":"astronomy-for-dummies-4th-edition","isbn":"9781119374244","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119374243/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119374243/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119374243-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119374243/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119374243/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/astronomy-for-dummies-4th-edition-cover-9781119374244-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Astronomy For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"https://testbanks.wiley.com","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"9879\">Stephen P. Maran, PhD,</b> is the retired assistant director of space sciences for information and outreach at the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center. An investigator of stars, nebulae, and comets, he worked on the Hubble Space Telescope, Space Shuttle missions, Skylab, and other NASA projects. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":9879,"name":"Stephen P. Maran","slug":"stephen-p-maran","description":" <p><b>Stephen P. Maran, PhD,</b> is the retired assistant director of space sciences for information and outreach at the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center. An investigator of stars, nebulae, and comets, he worked on the Hubble Space Telescope, Space Shuttle missions, Skylab, and other NASA projects. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9879"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9781119374244"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221a602b4c1\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["academics-the-arts","science","astronomy"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9781119374244"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221a602be15\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":246721},"articleLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{},"objectTitle":"","status":"initial","pageType":null,"objectId":null,"page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"initial","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2024-03-04T05:50:01+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'></div>\r\n","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":" <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":295890,"title":"Career Shifting","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/career-shifting-295890"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":299891,"title":"For the College Bound","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-college-bound-299891"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":301547,"title":"For the Game Day Prepper","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/big-game-day-prep-made-easy-301547"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article3","path":"/article/academics-the-arts/science/astronomy/planetariums-beginning-astronomers-246721/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"academics-the-arts","category2":"science","category3":"astronomy","article":"planetariums-beginning-astronomers-246721"},"fullPath":"/article/academics-the-arts/science/astronomy/planetariums-beginning-astronomers-246721/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}

Planetariums for Beginning Astronomers

By: Stephen P. Maran and

Updated: 11-14-2017

From The Book: Astronomy For Dummies

Astronomy For Dummies

Book image

Explore Book Buy On Amazon

Planetariums, also called planetaria, are just right for beginning astronomers. They provide instructive exhibits and project wonderful sky shows indoors on the planetarium dome or on a huge screen. And many offer nighttime skywatching sessions with small telescopes, usually held outside in the parking lot, in an adjacent small observatory dome, or at a nearby public park.

Many have excellent shops where you can browse the latest astronomy books, magazines, and star charts. The planetarium staff can also direct you to the nearest astronomy club, which may even meet after hours in the planetarium itself.

The old Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City was torn down, but a fine new one has replaced it. Make this planetarium, which is part of the Rose Center for Earth and Space, a prime destination when you visit the Big Apple. It's pricey but still much cheaper than a Broadway show, and its stars never miss a cue or sing off key (just don't try to sneak in)! Visitor information is on the American Museum's website.

You can find a list of planetariums in the United States, with links to their websites. To search for planetariums worldwide, consult the almost-400-page directory maintained by the International Planetarium Society.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Astronomy For Dummies ,

About the book author:

Stephen P. Maran, PhD, is the retired assistant director of space sciences for information and outreach at the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center. An investigator of stars, nebulae, and comets, he worked on the Hubble Space Telescope, Space Shuttle missions, Skylab, and other NASA projects.

This article can be found in the category:

Astronomy ,