ESO Supernova Planetarium & Besucherzentrum

About the museum

The ESO Supernova is the result of a donation by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung: the foundation financed its construction and contractually handed the building over to the European Southern Observatory (ESO) at the end of 2013. ESO's headquarters are right next door on the Garching research campus. The center's content was developed in collaboration with the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), which contributed more than twenty interactive stations and simulations.

The design by Bernhardt + Partner draws on an astronomical image: two intertwined building volumes evoke a binary star system in which one star pulls matter from the other – the process that can lead to a supernova. The visitor center opened in April 2018.

Inside, a gently rising path about 255 meters long leads through the permanent exhibition "The Living Universe," with 13 themed areas ranging from the Earth to stars and exoplanets to cosmology, presented bilingually in German and English. The centerpiece is the tilted dome planetarium, 14 meters in diameter, which hosts live and film shows. There are also workshops for children and teens as well as training courses for teachers.

Highlights

• Tilted dome planetarium, 14 m in diameter, with 109 seats
• Spiral exhibition path with 13 themed areas
• Model of the Atacama Desert with ESO's telescopes
• Real astronomical objects and large-format sky images
• Architecture modeled on a binary star system

Permanent exhibitions

• Das lebendige Universum – Bilingual exhibition on 13 topics covering the solar system, stars, exoplanets, galaxies and cosmology, plus a look at ESO's telescopes in Chile and many interactive stations.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Europäische Südsternwarte (ESO)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The exhibition is free; only planetarium shows are paid. Gift vouchers in multiples of €6.50 available in the ESO online shop.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All areas reachable by ramp or elevator; accessible restrooms in the basement. In the planetarium, only the seats in row 1 are step-free. Loaner headsets (€5 deposit) with volume control for family shows, also suitable for cochlear implants. QR codes on all exhibition panels for digital text access; simplified "Aha!" texts in larger print.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

Interactive exhibition with many touchscreen stations; planetarium shows especially for children (ages 4–7 and 8–11), shows in general recommended from age 4. Children under 12 only with adults. Strollers must be left at the entrance during planetarium visits. No dedicated birthday programs; parties are possible in the picnic area (no candles). No educational activities on weekends.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Lockers

No café: picnic area with snack and drink vending machines and a sun terrace; bringing your own food is allowed. ESOshop at the entrance. A few lockers (€1–2 deposit); please avoid bringing backpacks larger than A4 if possible. Dogs other than assistance dogs are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 240 guests.

Planetarium (109 seats), foyer (up to 240 standing), Welt-Raum (up to 160 standing), seminar rooms and roof terrace for corporate events, conferences and seminars, usually outside opening hours; no events on weekends. No dates with room rental/catering remain available for 2026.

Plan your visit