THE PLANETARY – Italy’s largest and most advanced planetarium
A fascinating journey to discover the Universe. The stars, planets, galaxies, the universe… and more!!!
The new Planetarium at Città della Scienza, the most technologically advanced in Italy, is an extraordinary attraction in which to watch shows and performances on the mysteries of the Universe and beyond. The Planetarium is also a sky simulator, a tool for teaching and popularizing astronomy that faithfully reproduces the vault of heaven and the astronomical objects that populate the universe. The Planetarium at Città della Scienza is the largest and most advanced in Italy. It has a diameter of 20 meters, as many as 113 seats, and some of the most advanced technology in the world. The latest-generation machine and the special placement of the dome guarantee an effect of complete involvement of the spectator, abetted by acoustics that will guarantee the audience a unique and enveloping spectacle of the universe.
The Planetarium offers shows and films, both live and recorded, with which you can immerse yourself in a night sky, discover the stars from the theories of ancient Greek astronomers to today’s large telescopes, learn how to protect starry skies from light pollution, retrace missions to the moon, follow the journeys of probes and spacecraft that have explored the Solar System to our own, or even explore dark matter to understand why the Universe is as it appears to us, where we came from, and how it has evolved over billions of years.
Great shows for great excitement.
Engaging, educating and entertaining are the goals of the activities of the Planetarium, which features a state-of-the-art digital projection system – Evans & Sutherland ‘s Digistar 6 – and is constantly animated by a rich schedule of science shows dedicated to astrophysics, astronomy and aerospace technology developed in collaboration with leading international research centers and agencies, such as NASA, ASI, ESA, ESO, etc.
Scheduled to start on 1 October 2026
Scheduled performances
Dark Universe
The award-winning space documentary ‘Dark Universe’ celebrates the groundbreaking discoveries that have led to a greater understanding of the universe and our place within it. Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the highlights of “Dark Universe” include journeys through the Milky Way, dotted with exploding supernovae and black holes, new visualisations of phenomena such as dark matter, and breathtaking dives into the atmospheres of planets – such as the Galileo probe’s descent into Jupiter’s atmosphere.
Recommended age: Adults, families and curious minds aged 11 and over Duration: 45 minutes Languages: Italian, English and Spanish
We are ready to take you on a rich and fascinating journey through our celestial neighbourhood, as we search for one of the key ingredients of organic life: water in its liquid form. Why is Venus considered the hottest planet in the Solar System? Is Saturn the only planet in the Solar System with rings? And what might lie hidden beneath the icy surface of Jupiter’s moon, Europa? These and other questions will be answered as we visit the Sun in its cradle, the Earth as it once was, our neighbouring planets as they are today, and perhaps even a world yet to be explored that awaits our visit in the future.
Recommended age: Adults, families and curious visitors of all ages (recommended from 6 years old) Duration: 30 minutes Languages: Italian and English
The night sky is as evocative as it is changeable. Thanks to the Planetarium, which will faithfully reproduce the celestial vault of the current period, we will discover the wonders that populate our nights.
We will learn to recognize the major constellations and the brightest stars not leaving out some related mythological tales.
Type: LIVE Recommended age: for all Duration: 30 minutes
On the outskirts of a galaxy called the Milky Way is a star named the Sun, around which our planet, Earth, orbits, along with seven other planets (as well as natural satellites, dwarf planets and other bizarre celestial bodies). The Planetarium will be transformed into a giant spacecraft that will allow us to fly over most of these worlds so profoundly different physically and chemically from our planet.
Type: LIVE Recommended age: for all Duration: 30 minutes
The little prince is a child from a tiny planet with a great desire to know and meet new people and their customs. He is a little blond baby full of enthusiasm with a desire to know and with a lot of curiosity especially about the Universe. During his journey we will see many astronomical objects that populate the sky: some familiar others more exotic. Are you ready to go with him?
Languages: Italian Animation show Recommended age: 4-5 years old and family Planit 2020 Award
Three friendly crews of cosmos explorers participate in a Space Regatta. Set sail from Earth, they will face several trials to cross the boundaries of the Solar System: they will take us into the vicinity of planets, asteroids until they reach distant stars. The last test will consist of passing unharmed in the vicinity of a black hole. Will they make it?
Languages: Italian Animation show Recommended age: children 6-11 years old and families Duration: about 30′ Planit Award 2023
Since the end of the 20th century, man has begun launching unmanned probes to the most remote places in the Solar System. In this show we will discover how these technological jewels have enabled us to expand the horizons of our knowledge in unimaginable ways. Today the exploration continues: what other mysteries will the Robot Explorers unveil to us yet?
Languages: Italian, English and Spanish Recommended age: 6 years and up Manufactured by: Evans & Sutherland
Access-The Planetarium has a capacity of 113 seats.
Tardiness – Punctuality is recommended because once the screening has started, access to the Planetarium will no longer be possible. The ticket is unique and non-transferable; if you are late, you will not be able to use it for later shows, either during the day or on subsequent dates. The ticket is in no way refundable. Prohibitions – Inside the Planetarium it is strictly forbidden to smoke, turn on lights of any kind, bring in animals, bring in food and/or drinks, use cell phones, take photos and/or videos.
We would like to inform our visitors that admission to the planetarium is not recommended for children under the age of 4, as the shows involve the use of particularly intense lights and sound effects.
PLANETARY RECEIVERS: Receivers to attend English-language performances will be handed in upon temporary withdrawal of an identification document (car license, ID card or passport: other types of identification will not be accepted). The handed-in document will be kept in the appropriate box and returned to the user upon return of the receiver/headset.
