The Carl Zeiss Planetarium reopens - with new programs

The planetarium staff used the public-free period to maintain the technology - especially the air conditioning and ventilation system -, to prepare the Kepler Hall so that lectures can be streamed live and interactively, and to prepare new shows.

The long-awaited Pink Floyd show “The Dark Side of the Moon” will now start at the reopening. It complements Queen’s successful multimedia show “Heaven” and runs every Friday at 8pm. “Dark Side of the Moon” is the name of the most successful album by the British rock band Pink Floyd. Without being intended by the band leader Roger Waters, quite a few pieces of the album seem to be just made for the dome projection in the planetarium. Pink Floyd’s compositions combined with the planetarium’s powerful sound system, 360-degree projection, star projector and laser show create an intense multimedia experience that takes you into the depths of the cosmos and the abysses of the human soul.

The fulldome show “Departure to Mars” has its premiere in the field of astronomy, space exploration, solar system and space travel. In it, the audience takes a leap in time some 15 years into the future and experiences the first human flight to the red planet in thrilling scenes. The depictions are based on the current preparations of NASA and the space company SpaceX, both of which are working independently of each other to make this expedition a reality. This show is visually powerful and makes extensive use of dome projection motion effects. Those who are not afraid of heights should watch a quieter show in the planetarium, such as “Summer Stars over Stuttgart,” to get used to it.

Children can also once again look forward to shows such as “Polaris and the Secret of the Night,” “Suddenly an Astronaut” or the “Kinetarium,” where they can interactively intervene in the events at the dome with their smartphones.

“For the planetarium team, the many months without an audience and with the empty rooms felt so strange and bizarre,” said Dr. Uwe Lemmer, the planetarium’s director. “That will come to an end starting next Tuesday, and we’re already looking forward to the children and adults who come to visit us.”

Ubbo Grassmann, who is responsible for fulldome productions and live acts at the planetarium, is also excited to get things going again, “A nice signal is already the concert with DJ Jens Herzberg as part of his ‘Tour of Hope,’ where he will be spinning at various Stuttgart landmarks and streaming from the planetarium’s domed hall on Friday, June 11 - in keeping with the mood of the location.” This concert is still taking place without an audience, but the popular Tunesday live acts and concerts are expected to begin again at the planetarium in July.

As everywhere else, the rules of the current Corona ordinance apply to performances at the planetarium. Currently, only tested, vaccinated and recovered people are allowed to attend the screenings, this is checked at the entrance. Contact information is also collected, either on a form or using the Luca app. In addition to the mask requirement, the distance requirement of 1.5 meters still applies, so only 49 of 270 seats can be filled. Reservations are therefore strongly recommended by calling 216-89015 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.).

Due to the completion of the nearby Staatsgalerie light rail stop, the pedestrian and bicycle path at the planetarium is currently being rerouted - the planetarium’s main entrance can only be reached via the SSB stop. It is best to take one of the tram lines U1, U2, U4, U9 or U14 and get off at Staatsgalerie. From there, the entrance to the planetarium is barrier-free. For people with wheelchairs, bicycles as well as baby carriages, please note that the footpath from the main station to the planetarium also leads through the light rail station at the end. On the way there, you have to pass a staircase that is not suitable for wheelchairs, bicycles or strollers. For this reason, the ride on the light rail is currently the ideal feeder to the planetarium.

All the latest information and the planetarium’s schedule can be found at  www.planetarium-stuttgart.de (opens in a new tab). The program can also be downloaded there as a PDF. The program “Departure to Mars” can be found on the homepage under the menu item “Discover”. A flyer with the current schedule and the calendar overview can also be picked up free of charge upon request: Stuttgart Planetarium, Willy-Brandt-Strasse 25, Staatsgalerie stop, during opening hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.