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Adler Planetarium was the first planetarium ever built in the United States. It’s located in Museum Campus on the Near South Side of Chicago.
Brief History of the Adler Planetarium
The planetarium was founded by Max Adler (1866-1952), a former executive of Sears Roebuck & Co. The building was designed by Adler’s cousin, architect Ernest Grunsfeld Jr. (1897-1970). It opened on May 12, 1930, and was declared a National Historic Landmark on February 27, 1987.
Visiting the Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium sits at the northern end of Northerly Island, an artificial island created in 1925. It’s open daily except Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am until 4pm. During the summer, it’s open daily until 6pm. It costs US$25 for adult general admission with packages including one show at US$32, and two shows at US$40. Prices are current as of April 2024 and are listed on the official website. The shows are considered a must-see on any visit to the planetarium.
Mission Moon
The first exhibit I visited was Mission Moon. It tells the story of American space exploration through the eyes of astronaut Jim Lovell, the commander of Apollo 13. One of the highlights of the exhibit is the 1963 Gemini 12 capsule piloted by Lovell and Buzz Aldrin.
The Moon Wall is near the end of the exhibit and allows visitors to digitally explore different parts of the moon.
Our Solar System
A gallery titled Our Solar System gives information on each planet. You get to see a replica Mars rover and touch a meteorite and a moon rock.
History of Astronomy
On the ground floor there are exhibits on the history of astronomy and its impact on different cultures. Each section contains information on how each culture studied the stars, and there are also historic telescopes on display.
Other Exhibits
There’s also the historic Atwood Sphere, which shows what the sky in Chicago looked like in 1913, and an exhibit on the evolution of the universe.
Other hands-on and kid-friendly exhibits are located throughout the planetarium and the Doane Observatory, which is periodically open for viewings.
