5 Best Planetariums and Observatories in Indonesia

The world and the planet are full of stars and constellation filling up the landscapes of astronomy.

Some might not be seen with bare eyes, some becoming interesting to study about and to observe more thoroughly.

To fulfill this astronomy educational need on studying about celestial events, planetariums and observatories are built around the world.

The buildings are constructed to present not only educational, but also entertaining views of the night sky and other scientific disciplines of astronomy, meteorology, and others.

Indonesia has also considered this need and has then possessed several planetariums and observatories across the country.

Although not in a very high total number of these places, yet some have displayed amusing and outstanding views and information to enhance this study and entertainment space.

Here is the list of five best planetariums and observatories in Indonesia you would like to visit.

1. Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory

Also known as Taman Ismail Marzuki Obervatory, this planetarium and observatory in Jakarta, one of the cities with the worst traffic in Indonesia, is one of the most famous ones in Indonesia.

This planetarium was initiated directly by the first Indonesian president, Sukarno, and was particularly built to enhance the observation and practice of arts and science complex.

Having been operating since 1969, this planetarium has undergone various renovations to ensure better facilities and content.

Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory is enriched with a 22-meter dome as well as a coudé telescope, and it also has numerous classrooms as spaces for studies.

It also has a large exhibition hall for astronomy essence, and nine movies are being played in this facility, with a duration of one hour each.

This planetarium and observatory is located at Jl. Cikini Raya No. 73 and opens daily from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. except for a day off on Monday.

2. Bosscha Observatory

Bosscha Observatory in Lembang, Bandung is the first observatory ever to be owned by Indonesia as a heritage from the Dutch.

Also becoming one of the oldest ones in Asia and has operated since 1925, the idea of this observatory was firstly agreed in the meeting of the Dutch-Indies Astronomical Society because it is considered to be essential for the study of astronomy.

The authorities of the observatory was then given to Indonesia in 1951 and the operation was trusted to Bandung Institute of Technology, one of the best state universities in Indonesia, in 1959.

This observatory possesses five large telescopes comprising the Zeiss double refractor, Schmidt telescope, Bamberg refractor, Cassegrain GOTO, and Unitron refractor.

This site has ever been used for the filming process of an American reality television series called The Amazing Race 23.

You can find this observatory at Jl. Peneropongan Bintang No. 45 in Lembang, West Java.

3. Jagad Raya Tenggarong Planetarium

This planetarium located in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, is another incredible planetarium Indonesia owns ever since its first establishment in 2002.

Becoming the third planetarium ever built in the country, this site was designed to be an educational destination to observe and learn about the celestial navigation of stars, planets, and other objects in the sky.

The site’s capacity was designed to fill at least 150 people in its theatre. It has a projector to display the images of the sky completed with 100 different lenses.

The planetarium was also designed in such a way that no lights can enter the closed room to enhance the display and support the vibes of observing the constellation.

This planetarium can be found in Jl. Dipenogoro and opens every day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

4. Loka Jala Crana Planetarium

One of the facts about Surabaya is that this city has this decent planetarium called the Loka Jala Crana Planetarium.

Becoming a part of Loka Jala Crana Museum, this planetarium has been operating since 1969 under the management of Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut).

This is also a special planetarium being used by the navy cadets to learn about navigation, making the place to be quite restricted for public visits who have no entry permission.

Due to its importance as a place of study for the cadets, this planetarium is located in the Indonesian Navy Academy itself, in Jl. Moro Krembangan, Bumimoro.

5. Taman Pintar Planetarium

Taman Pintar Planetarium in Yogyakarta, one of the most beautiful cities in Indonesia, is a planetarium similar to the one in Jakarta.

It is one of the new planetariums built in 2012 and is well-known as a field-trip destination for educational purposes.

This planetarium has its own uniqueness where it uses digital projectors to display astronomical objects as well as simulation displays of the night sky in Yogyakarta.

This performance will also be continued with the movie about the journey of men on the Moon.

These screenings are made in a circular dome with comfortable seats for more enjoyable viewing.

Located in Taman Pintar Yogyakarta, you can find this planetarium at Jl. Senopati No. 1-3, and it opens daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. except for a day off on Monday.

Those are the five best planetariums and observatories in Indonesia that may add to your reference on educational places to visit.

We do hope that Indonesia’s planetariums and observatories will continue to develop with more adequate facilities and information for people to enjoy and learn.