With your head tilted up to admire the stars... while sitting comfortably in the warmth. The Venetian lagoon has gained a new space that combines science with history, fantasy with scientific marvels. The opening of the new civic Planetarium at the Lido has filled a void that had persisted since the closure of the old location in the convent of San Nicolò, leaving Venetian astronomy enthusiasts without an alternative.
The project undertaken by the Municipality of Venice for the restoration of the old little theater of the former Luna Park on Lungomare d'Annunzio has allowed the Venetian Astronomical Association and hundreds of enthusiasts to once again gaze at the stars under the dome of the Lido Planetarium. The dome, over eight meters in diameter, is the third largest in Italy and overlooks sixty seats for the public. The machinery that projects the stars and planets emerges from the floor, recreating the apparent movements of celestial bodies as we see them in nature.
Added to the list of the few functioning planetariums in our country, among the largest and most feature-rich, the Lido of Venice Planetarium is uniquely special. It was entirely built in the 1980s by a small group of passionate Venetians from the local astronomy association, who, despite lacking the means and experience of the few specialized companies in this field, successfully created it out of pure passion. Much of the credit goes to two steadfast Lido residents: the association's president, Aldo Abate, who managed to rebuild and improve the equipment after the departure from the old site, and his right-hand man, Maurizio Eltri, a great scholar and one of the leading meteorite collectors in circulation.
The new management of the facility, owned by the municipality and included in the scientific area of the Venetian Civic Museums, is entrusted by agreement to the Venetian Astronomical Association, which regularly offers interesting talks and conferences.
Information:
Planetarium Venezia
Address: Lungomare d'Annunzio, area ex Luna-park - Lido di Venezia
Tel: 041731518
Open for school trips and groups upon reservation
Website: http://www.astrovenezia.net/planetario.htm
E-mail: planetario@astrovenezia.net
