Galileo Galilei Planetarium

History

The Galileo Galilei Planetarium was born with the purpose of bringing astronomy closer to the daily life of the City of Buenos Aires. In the late 1950s, the City promoted the creation of a space dedicated to the observation and dissemination of the sky, and in 1962 construction began in the Palermo Woods. From its beginnings, the central sphere and the columns that support it gave it a futuristic imprint, unique within the urban landscape that surrounds it.

The building was inaugurated in 1966 and the first astronomical function took place in 1967, under a dome of twenty meters in diameter. Equipped with a state-of-the-art star project for its time, models of the solar system, and emblematic pieces such as the Campo del Cielo meteorite, the Planetarium quickly established itself as a space for scientific initiation for audiences of all ages.

Over the decades, the Planetarium has undergone various processes of updating and enhancement. It upgraded its equipment, incorporated fulldome digital systems, modernized its main hall, added an interactive museum, and new exhibition areas. At each stage, it has maintained its original mission intact: to offer, from Buenos Aires, a window to the universe and a meeting point between science, education, and culture.

The Planetarium today

The Planetarium today offers immersive functions under the dome, fulldome experiences, telescope observations, guided tours, courses for children, youth, and adults, and special activities, combining science, art, and technology for all kinds of audiences.

Its heritage importance

The Galileo Galilei Planetarium is part of the heritage of the City of Buenos Aires due to its outstanding architectural, cultural, scientific, and symbolic value. Inaugurated in 1967 and designed by architect Enrique Jan, it is one of the most representative works of modern architecture in the city and a landmark in the urban landscape of Parque Tres de Febrero.

Since its creation, the Planetarium has played a fundamental role in scientific dissemination, bringing astronomical knowledge to generations of students, teachers, and the general public. Its ongoing activity has solidified it as a reference space for learning, reflection, and democratic access to science.