Due to the replacement of the projection system, the dome of the planetarium in Prague’s Stromovka will be closed
ČTK was informed by the PR manager of the Prague Observatory and Planetarium, Dominika Šimoňaková. According to representatives of the municipality, the current system is at the end of its useful life, and new technologies using LCD diodes will place the Prague planetarium among the most modern in the world. According to earlier information, the exchange will cost 250 million crowns.
“I can confirm that we will be closing the planetarium at the end of April. We don’t know the exact date yet. By autumn, the existing projection system will be dismantled and then a new one will be installed – an LCD screen throughout the dome, which is unique worldwide. We would like to open in the spring of 2024, but it will depend on the progress of the works,” said Šimonňaková.
At the time of the reconstruction, the planetarium was not supposed to be closed completely, but if the work permits, the exhibition, souvenir shop and workshops for schools should remain open. “Furthermore, of course, we will invite people to the observatories,” added the spokeswoman.
According to representatives of the Prague municipality, the advantages of the new projection system will be a long service life of 25 years, high contrast and lower maintenance costs. According to earlier information, this is only a few years old technology, and its installation will make the Prague one the largest planetarium in the world that will use it. The planetarium’s current projection system was installed in 2009 and is already at the end of its useful life, according to city and planetarium representatives.
The Prague Planetarium in Stromovka was opened in 1960 and is among the 50 largest in Europe. I offer a program for the public and schools and for those interested in astronomy as well as a number of interest courses and clubs. The Štefánik Observatory on Petřín, which was put into operation in 1928, and the observatory in Ďáblice from the 1950s also fall under the Prague Observatory and Planetarium.