Page 96 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

94  CHIC A GO AREA B Y AREA

w Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium has one of the finest astronomical
collections in the world, with artifacts dating as far back as
12th-century Persia. It also has the world’s first virtual-reality
theater. Spectacular sky shows complement displays
on navigation, the solar system, and space exploration.
State-of-the-art technology enables visitors to explore . Definiti Space Theater
exhibits hands-on. The world’s first digital theater
When the Adler opened in 1930, it was the first modern offers an unrivaled virtual-reality
planetarium in the western hemisphere. Businessman Max environment in which visitors can
Adler funded the 12-sided, granite-and-marble Art Deco participate in a journey beyond
the solar system.
structure, designed by Ernest Grunsfeld. This original building,
with its copper dome and a bronze depiction of a sign of the
zodiac on each of the 12 corners, is now a historical landmark.

. Atwood Sphere
Step into North America’s only
walk-in planetarium, built in 1913.
Light enters through the 692
holes in the surface of this huge
metal ball, representing the stars
in Chicago’s night sky. The “stars”
move across the “sky” as the
sphere, powered by a motor,
slowly rotates.

Lower Level

Key to Floor Plan
Universe in Your Hands
Landmark exhibition space Learn about a time when
Sky Pavilion exhibition space people believed that Earth
Sky Pavilion special exhibits was the center of the
universe. Astrolabes,
Grainger Sky Theater
armillary spheres, and
Definiti Space Theater sundials illustrate medieval
Nonexhibition space conceptions of the world.

094-095_EW_Chicago.indd 94 13/07/16 2:59 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm