Moscow Planetarium on Barricade

The Planetarium on Barricade in Moscow is one of the largest in the world and the oldest in Russia. This building is included in the list of sights of the capital. It is worth mentioning that it is interesting not only to visit the planetarium on Barrikadnaya, but also to adults.

History of creation

The idea of building a planetarium in Moscow arose already in the first years of Soviet power. It was then that the capital council recognized the need to educate and educate the working people. Planetarium on Barricade planned to make the center propagandizing the science of the Universe.

To implement this idea in 1927, a special commission was created. Its main task was to lead the process of building a planetarium. In those years there were already twelve such structures in the world. Most of them were in Germany. The Moscow Planetarium on the Barricade became the thirteenth in a row.

Development of the project and erection of the structure

For the construction of a planetarium in Moscow, the government allocated an impressive funding for those times. In addition, a considerable amount of money was needed to purchase a special projection device in Germany. The equipment for the observatory, laboratory premises and for the cinema was purchased. In the planetarium it was planned to open a library, an astronomical museum and an audience for group lessons. Thus, the developers of the project solved the problem of creating a kind of national university in this grandiose building.

The creation of the planetarium was labored by young architects M.O. Barshch and MI. Sinyavsky, who in certain circles already had fame. The project they created had a constructivist and fashionable style at the time. The development was approved, after which the construction of the structure began.

The object was commissioned in the autumn of 1929. By this time the erection of the dome-screen was completed and the installation of equipment was completed. For the general public, the planetarium in Moscow on Barrikadnaya was only opened on November 5th.

Beginning of work

In the early years of its existence, the Moscow Planetarium on Barrikadnaya had no extensive programs. He began his work with short cycles of lectures. However, gradually the programs were expanded. Soon the visitors were invited to listen to more than three, as before, but forty topics that were read by qualified lecturers.

Gradually, the technical equipment of the "People's University" was perfected. In the first year after the discovery, a special device was created in the planetarium, which was called "The Rising Sun". He worked until 1994. By 1934, the equipment of the planetarium allowed visitors to see the flight of comets and the northern lights, solar eclipses and August stars. The Tsiolkovsky rocket, accompanied by a fiery tail, was also demonstrated here. Up to the fifties of the last century there were no planetariums around the world that could show similar to their visitors. This was the merit of KN. Shistovsky, who was a talented engineer and the first director of the Moscow Planetarium.

In the same year of 1934 an astronomical circle began to work in the "People's University". Engineering courses were held here. Subsequently, their graduates became the founders of the famous design bureau KB-7, which was engaged in the development of liquid rockets.

In addition to scientific activities, the planetarium offered its visitors a view of the performances. Their main theme is the glorification of the famous astronomers Copernicus, Giordano Bruno and Galileo.

The Planetarium did not stop its work on Barrikadnaya in the war years. Not only ordinary lectures were read here. A whole series of topics was intended for the training of military pilots and scouts.

Life of a planetarium after the Great Victory

In the postwar years, the construction of an astronomical site was carried out. From it it was possible to observe the true heavenly bodies.

Already by 1947 the planetarium on Barrikadnaya (see photo below) became a whole complex of buildings, including a starry hall and foyer, an astronomical site and an observatory.

For a long time this was the only place where reliable information about space was provided. In this regard, for many decades in the planetarium trained and studied the location of stars in the sky long-range aviation navigators . The complex was visited by Barricade and the future cosmonauts. Here they studied astronavigation.

The Age of Space Exploration

The planetarium reached its peak in the 60s of the last century. This was the era of the beginning of the conquest of the cosmos. Substantially expanded the planetarium to the Barricade program, held for its visitors, after the replacement of some equipment. So, a new device "Planetarium" was installed. Unlike the old, he had great opportunities and an automated system of work. However, the time of stagnation that brought the planetarium to oblivion came. In 1994, it was closed for reconstruction.

Updated complex

Repair in the Moscow planetarium lasted seventeen years. In June 2011, it was finally opened. Over the years, the complex has been significantly updated. Its area has increased almost six times. Currently, the planetarium occupies a territory of seventeen thousand square meters and is designed for a thousand spectators. Tickets to guests cost from one hundred and fifty to six hundred rubles. The complex takes up to three thousand people a day.

In the foyer of the planetarium is the scheme of the institution. On it you can determine your location and navigate in how to get to the hall of interest. The scheme is three-dimensional. When choosing a particular place, it starts to be highlighted. It is very convenient for visitors. If some difficulties still arise, you can always contact the employees of the complex who will prompt the necessary direction.

To date, an extensive cognitive program can boast a planetarium on the Barricade. Feedback from numerous visitors indicates that the information received is interesting to people of different levels of knowledge and age.

The popularity of the planetarium today is again great. There is a possibility of free visits to the complex during the days of lectures. A convenient location and exciting excursions, held in different rooms, attract not only residents but also guests of the capital.

Visitors to the planetarium have the opportunity to refresh their knowledge of astronomy. This can be done in several rooms that are equipped in the complex. Each of them is distinguished by the theme and cost of the visit.

Museum of Urania

This room is in the old part of the complex. Its first level acquaints visitors with the history of the planetarium, as well as the process of developing the methods of science of knowledge of the universe.

In the museum of Urania, visitors are met by an astronomer-astrologer. He sits surrounded by ancient engravings and books, as well as special equipment.

Further visitors enter the zone, exhibits which introduce the history of the planetarium. Here, a large number of documents and photographs, objects and books are collected, allowing to visually reproduce the facts and events that concern the complex from 1929 to this time.

The brightest exhibits representing the equipment that the complex was equipped with is the Planetarium (factory number 313), which operated from 1977 to 1994, as well as parts of a device with a similar name, which operated from 1926 to 1976. (Serial number 13). In due time with their help the artificial sky on a dome lit up.

In the museum there are showcases, in which are placed goniometer tools and telescopes, theodolites and a sundial. This theme is developed by the Sea Corner. This exposition resembles ship style. There are sails and deck, the market and the steering wheel. In the windows of the cylindrical form are placed star and geographical maps, as well as instruments with the help of which it is possible to navigate the sea. It is a barograph and a chronometer, a sextant and a boat compass, as well as a telescope. Without these tools, it would be impossible to make geographical discoveries.
In the second hall of the museum of Urania, visitors enter the world of amazing heavenly bodies. Here are the globes of Venus and Mars, the Moon and Earth. These nearest space neighbors are somewhat similar to each other, but at the same time are unique in their own way.

On an inclined ramp made of marble, the worlds of the solar system are represented, which have the form of hemispheres. Here is a video screen on the whole wall. He shows detailed images of celestial bodies entering the solar system. In addition to this exposition, visitors can see a collection of meteorites. These space aliens look unusual. They are melted, have a bizarre shape and burned sides. All these traces were left by the earth's atmosphere.

The Great Star Hall

This is the main place in the planetarium. The large star hall is equipped with a dome-screen. Its diameter is twenty-five meters. In this room is installed equipment, which is the pride of the planetarium. He is the apparatus of the "Universalium" of the optic-fiber type, which projects astronomical phenomena and pictures of the world.

The huge room of the hall is designed for three hundred and fifty-six spectators. Comfortable armchairs have reclining backs. On the dome-screen visitors can observe the projection of almost nine thousand planets, stars and constellations.

Sky Park

In this room are collected both ancient and new instruments intended for the knowledge of the universe. It was built for the 800th anniversary of Moscow.

The sky park is a landmark of the Moscow Planetarium. It combines an astronomical observatory and an open-air museum. The exhibits are placed in accordance with the following main sections of the stellar science: classical, ancient, telescopic astronomy, and solar energy. Here is a whole collection of sundials.

Lunarium

This is an interactive museum that occupies two floors. This hall is intended for curious children. The equipment of the Lunarium is not inferior to the leading European museums and scientific centers.

The exposition of the museum presents about eighty exhibits. Each of them demonstrates the laws of physics and natural phenomena in a game form.

Location:

If you decide to visit the planetarium on Barricade, how to get to it? It will not be very difficult. Not far from the planetarium is the metro station "Barrikadnaya". It is worth bearing in mind that this museum and entertainment complex does not work on Tuesdays. It is also recommended to prepare in advance for his visit, choosing the desired program. Has a planetarium on the Barricade official website (planetarium-moscow.ru). With its help you can get acquainted with the planned topics and purchase a ticket.