Learn new things about the solar system or rediscover old knowledge

The starry sky

Although the Bundesrat announced that measures to combat the coronavirus will be relaxed on 16 April 2020, the motto continues to be “stay at home”.
The uninvited guest called corona hasn’t gone away. Even after 27 April 2020, when we will be able to buy plants at the garden centre again, and the end of our bad hair days is in sight with hairdressing salons reopening, we should continue to stay at home to protect our own health and that of others.

Why not use this time to learn something new or refresh old knowledge?

Have you noticed the unobstructed view of the starry skies on clear nights in recent weeks too? Maybe you too – wrapped in a warm blanket – have been sitting on your balcony or terrace, or in the garden at night, gazing in wonder at the stars? Have you noticed how rarely you see blinking lights in the sky these days? Right now, the moon and the stars are all we can see in our night skies due to severely restricted air traffic. This means we rarely think we have seen a star, then notice that it is moving and so is “only” an aeroplane. Let’s enjoy the privilege of a clear sky while we have it, and why not take advantage of it and learn more about our solar system and the stars and planets?

We have put together a list of different planetariums and observatories that can bring the night sky as it is now into your home via live streams or videos, so you can learn about it and discover lots of new things. Have fun!

Planétarium Sion - Valais
The planetarium in Sion is closed due to the corona pandemic. This does not mean that you can’t look up at the stars or learn more about the planets. Planétarium Sion will take you on a journey to Venus or the constellation of Orion. You can find many other videos here. All videos are in French. In addition, there are animated short films in French for children. You can find them here.

Langenthal school observatory
Langenthal school observatory is also open virtually during the corona pandemic. You can participate in live guided tours via Zoom and look at images of the moon, stars, bright gas nebulae and shining galaxies, all recorded with special video cameras, and listen to the descriptions. The number of participants in live events is limited to 100 virtual visitors. Check the information about the next event in good time. You can find everything about it here.

Planetarium Freiburg im Breisgau
No screenings are taking place in the planetarium until further notice. However, Planetarium Freiburg regularly posts up-to-date information about astronomy and astrophysics, as well as stories about the starry sky, on Freiburg’s city YouTube channel. If you would like to learn more about the Milky Way, or the wild “life” of galaxies, then take a look at the videos of Planetarium Freiburg.

Planetarium Hamburg
Planetarium Hamburg is one of a total of nine large planetariums and the most-visited planetarium in Germany. Since the corona pandemic started, it has welcomed visitors not on site, but virtually, and invites you into the Star Auditorium on screen. As well as a virtual 3D tour through the water tower, Planetarium Hamburg is currently live-streaming concerts, shows and other events. Previous live streams such as “Star Promenade – a piano concert with Alexander Raytchev” or “My Home – our blue planet” specifically for children, and many others, are still available on the Planetarium Hamburg website.

Zeiss-Planetarium Jena
Zeiss-Planetarium in Jena is likewise a large planetarium in Germany. It is currently closed, but provides many different ways in which you can get the planetarium experience at home, especially for children. There are different pictures that you can print out and colour in and a radio play “The Moon – a story under the stars” that you can listen to with the whole family. The planetarium show “The Planets” is more suitable for older children or adults, who can watch it from beginning to end as a 360° video on a screen at home. The show is very impressive, making you feel that you are right there in the planetarium, not at home on the sofa.

Planetarium Vienna
Planetarium Vienna has switched toonline courses and webinars. It has different, exciting events such as “Right now in the sky” or “Werner Gruber’s big brain theory”, that you can attend free of charge on your screen in the comfort of your own home. Please pay attention to the event time and date.

10+ Things to do with NASA at Home
NASA is also currently posting many fascinating things from the world of stars and planets. Make a moon-phase disc or a pencil rocket with your children. You can find all these things, and more, here. What’s more, various videos on NASA’s YouTube channel will take you to the moon, or even as far as Mars. The English-language videos contain amazing images and you can find them here.

Stellarium
Stellarium is an open-source, free planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic 3D sky, as you can see it with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope, and there is also a Stellarium app for your mobile. All aboard for the starry sky with Stellarium Web.

Sing along, have fun and get to know our solar system!

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