Silesian Planetarium

The Silesian Planetarium in Chorzów is the largest and oldest planetarium and astronomical observatory in Poland. It stands on the highest hill in the Silesian Park, called Park Hill (Góra Parkowa). Since 2022 it has operated as the Planetarium - Silesian Science Park: beside the historic dome there are interactive exhibitions on astronomy, seismology and meteorology.

When and how was it built?

Construction began in 1953, in the Copernicus Year, and was completed in 1955. The designer was the architect Zbigniew Solawa. The first show took place in 1955. The building is entered in the heritage register (number A/399/13, entry of 24 January 2013), and the register describes it as a concrete structure in the Socialist Realist style, dated 1953-1955.

The heart of the building is the dome, visible from afar, 23 metres in diameter, the largest in the country. In 1955-2018 the central device was a Zeiss projector from Jena, weighing over 2 tonnes and measuring 5 m in height when set upright. For almost 63 years it projected the stars, and today it stands in the astronomy hall.

What did the rebuilding change?

In 2018-2022 the building underwent a major rebuilding. A modern educational complex was created underground, and the official opening took place on 11 June 2022. The project was prepared by the Poznań studio Consultor.

The projection hall has 300 seats. An analogue GOTO Chiron III projector displays about 100 million stars on a spherical screen of almost 800 m², and ten digital Sony projectors make it possible to show moving images on the dome in True 8K resolution. On the horizon is a reconstructed panorama of Katowice, Chorzów and Siemianowice Śląskie from 1955.

Exhibitions and the observatory

The Geophysics exhibition is an interactive display on seismology and meteorology. Here one can experience a simulated earthquake, see and hear lightning from a Tesla coil, watch clouds and precipitation form, and enter chambers showing different climate zones. The visit lasts about 2 hours, is guided only, in groups of 10, and is intended for people over 11 years old. A shorter version has been prepared for younger children, Geophysics for the Youngest.

The astronomy hall lies just under the sundial. There are interactive stations with refractors, telescopes and a coelostat, and a room where, wearing 3D glasses, one can walk among the stars. For beginners there is a shortened, 45-minute version.

An observatory operates in the complex of buildings. In December 2023 an optical PlaneWave CDK700 telescope with a 70 cm mirror was put into service, replacing the telescope from 1955, along with a radio telescope with a 5 m dish working at the 21 cm wavelength. A climatological and a seismological station also operate on the grounds.

Nearby

The planetarium lies in the Silesian Park, so it is easy to combine a visit with a walk around the area.

Nearby operates the Silesian Zoological Garden.

Next to it is also an open-air museum, the Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park.

Practical information

• Address: Aleja Planetarium 4, Chorzów.
• Shows, exhibitions and rules of entry (reservations, participants' age) are given on the planetarium.edu.pl website. Check hours and availability of seats before your visit.
• Entry to the Geophysics exhibition is possible only with a guide, so it is worth planning your time.