Adler Planetarium Photo by Doug Fogelson Show me a map! Go to the Adler Planetarium website Where is it located? When was it built? When did it open to the public? Who donated the money for the Planetarium? Why is it important? What sky shows does the Planetarium present? What additions been added to the Adler Planetarium? Photo by Jeff Shaw                     Where is it located? This building is located at 1300 South Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Return to Top       When was it built? The Adler Planetarium was built in 1930. Return to Top      When did it open to the public? The Adler Planetarium opened to the public on May 12, 1930. Return to Top     Who donated the money for the Planetarium? Max Adler donated $500,000 to make the Adler Planetarium possible. Adler first saw a planetarium in Germany. The Planetarium was named in honor of Mr. Adler's contribution. The first real planetarium became possible when in 1923, Dr. Walter Bauersfeld developed optics that would help recreate the night sky by projecting it onto the surface of a domed ceiling, which is the idea of the modern planetarium. Return to Top       Why is it important? The Adler Planetarium is important because it was one of the first major planetariums built in the western hemisphere of the world. Return to Top       What sky shows does the Adler Planetarium present? Shows currently shown (in March 2000) at the Adler Planetarium include Millennium Mysteries, Clouds of Fire, Little Dinosaur, Solar System Spectacular, Journey to Infinity, and Blueprint for the Red Planet. Return to Top       What additions been added to the Adler Planetarium? There have been three additions. In 1930, there was an addition by Ernest A. Grunsfeld, Jr. In 1981, Lohan Associates added on to the entrance. The newest addition was opened in January of 1999, and it was the Sky Pavilion. Return to Top  BUILDINGS | ARCHITECTS | BASICS | GAMES | LINKS | BIBLIOGRAPHY | ABOUT US | EMAIL | HOME