1. Overview
Explore the wonders of the Albert Einstein Planetarium in Washington, D.C. This article discusses the recent renovations, the thrilling shows available, and the opportunity to enhance your visit with an IMAX combo ticket.
When traveling through Washington, D.C., the monuments and history alone can monopolize your time. All that sightseeing can take a giant toll on your feet.
The Smithsonian, much like the Louvre in Paris, is a must-visit destination, even if you only have one day in the city. To make the most of your day, it’s advisable to find a place to sit occasionally. Moreover, if you can soak in the science, history, and culture of the District while doing it, you have truly succeeded. A brilliant option is the Albert Einstein Planetarium.
Planetarium Renovation
The planetarium is one of the many highlights of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Here, you can choose a seat in one of the 233 seats in the completely revamped Albert Einstein Planetarium located on the second floor of the National Mall building and simply look up.
In 2014, a new ultra-high quality Full Dome Digital System was installed in the planetarium. The projection system boasts 16 times the resolution of HD, providing an exceptional level of detail, clarity, contrast, brightness, and color saturation. The renovation also featured a new, state-of-the-art, immersive digital sound system.
The Definiti projection system is a workhorse, playing at least 17 shows in the planetarium each day. Consequently, the new projectors generate substantial heat; hence, a small corridor was built just behind the theater walls to maintain cool, circulating air.
The planetarium underwent a brief closure of about two weeks to receive its most significant upgrade since the theater transitioned to a digital format in 2002. Carpeting and seats, which had been in use since the museum opened in 1976, were removed and replaced.
The Shows
The planetarium is a perfect destination for a sweltering summer day, snowy day, or a rainy day. Most shows are suitable for all ages, allowing you to bring your stroller inside the theater. Parents often recommend sitting in the back rows for the best views.
The daily show typically takes viewers on a journey through time and space, showcasing the night sky over Washington, D.C. Usually curated live, these shows last less than half an hour.
Returning museum guests from prior to 2014 will certainly notice a vast difference from the low-fidelity experiences of the past to the current projection system when witnessing a show like “Dark Universe.” As galaxies form at the universe’s inception, they manifest as a delicate black and gray web of stars, benefiting immensely from the projector’s sharp contrast. While narrator Neil deGrasse Tyson elucidates the way light waves stretch as they traverse the universe, the dome appears to expand as the redshifted beams pull the sky apart.
“To Space & Back” is another captivating show showcasing the myriad technologies that astronomers and astronauts utilize to explore the universe and how these engineering marvels are adapted to improve life on Earth. One invention, a laser initially developed to study the Earth’s atmosphere, is now employed in medical procedures to clear blocked arteries.
IMAX Combo Ticket
If you purchase a ticket for the planetarium, you can also buy an IMAX movie ticket at a reduced fee through the combination ticket discount.
