Bodensee Planetarium und Sternwarte

About the museum

The Stiftung Planetarium & Sternwarte Kreuzlingen (foundation) has existed since 1972 and owns the planetarium and observatory; it provides the facilities and finances new investments. The house is operated by the Astronomische Vereinigung Kreuzlingen (AVK, Astronomical Society of Kreuzlingen), also founded in 1972. The society has around 300 members, and its roughly 25 volunteer presenters and demonstrators guide visitors through the program.

The planetarium opened in 2002 and works like a surround cinema under a dome-shaped 360-degree screen. Modern fulldome projectors, linked to two high-performance computers, show multimedia shows; at the center is a Carl Zeiss Skymaster ZKP 3 star projector, which projects around 7,000 stars onto the dome and can reproduce the constellations for any date since 1900.

In the observatory, by contrast, you look through telescopes at the real sky. The instruments were completely renewed in 2011; the main instrument is a 20-inch astrograph, supplemented by a refractor. A heliostat also projects a sun image almost one meter across into the lecture room. The offerings also include astronomy courses and the Planetenweg Süd (South Planet Trail), a six-kilometer audio walk with eleven stations.

Highlights

• Planetarium with 360-degree dome and Zeiss Skymaster ZKP 3 star projector
• Observatory with public stargazing evenings, usually on Wednesdays
• Heliostat with a sun image almost one meter in diameter
• Planetenweg Süd as an audio walk with eleven stations
• Live shows, seasonal programs and astronomy courses

Permanent exhibition

• Planetarium und Sternwarte – Fulldome shows and live presentations under the planetarium dome, as well as sky observation with telescopes in the observatory on public evenings.

Operated by

Astronomische Vereinigung Kreuzlingen (AVK); Eigentümerin: Stiftung Planetarium & Sternwarte Kreuzlingen

Admission & discounts

Prices are for the planetarium; the same rates apply to the observatory, where children up to 16 enter free. Cash payment is possible only in CHF.

Accessibility

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

The parking spaces directly at the planetarium are reserved for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The house describes itself as a destination for families; children up to 16 pay CHF 6 at the planetarium and nothing at the observatory. The website has web links for children and young people.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 65 guests.

Foyer, lecture hall and planetarium can be rented for private and business events for up to 65 people; catering through partner businesses.

Plan your visit