In Madrid, as in any metropolis, you cannot see the stars behind the street lighting. However, an excellent opportunity to watch the starry sky is an excursion to the Planetarium of Madrid. It is located in one of the largest green areas of the Spanish capital, the Enrico Tierno Galvana Park. The planetarium rises 600 meters above the rest of the city, so it also serves as a good observation platform.
The main trump card of modern planetariums is projection systems, with the help of which the effect of presence is achieved — the audience quickly forgets that they are on Earth. Especially for children, Planetario de Madrid has prepared two travel programs along the roads of the universe, among planets, constellations, star clusters, and galaxies.
Explanations are given in Spanish, but for preschoolers to enjoy, an unusual cinema, colourful views of space, special effects and music are enough. The duration of the films is 45 minutes.
If you are vacationing in Madrid with a teenager, the Mission of the Universe program is more suitable for you. It is dedicated to the history of space flights, which is counted from the launch date of the Earth's first artificial satellite. Also interesting is the film "Oasis of Life" — about the most familiar space object: Earth. There is also an online show where you can see that starry scattering over Madrid, usually overshadowed by artificial lighting.
In addition, the Madrid Planetarium offers tours dedicated to the existence of the Sun and the planets of the solar system. Here you can admire the Martian landscapes, learn about the strange behaviour of black holes, and unravel the secret of the northern lights. The interactive exhibits are interesting, but the information is in Spanish only. For children aged 6-9, the planetarium hosts entertaining seminars on astronomy (knowledge of the language is also required here).
