Planetarium Noosphere Listed Among the World’s Best Planetariums by the IPS
“This book is a tribute to the rich and multifaceted history of planetariums as places where science meets art and technology, enabling us to reach the stars. It is not merely a collection of facts, but a living archive of experiences, dreams, and devices that have shaped planetarium culture around the world.
A planetarium is not merely a dome with a starry sky projection. It is an entire ecosystem of material culture: projectors, armillary spheres, unique engineering solutions, and the cultural heritage of several generations. These elements reflect the evolving priorities in science, education, and culture. They form a living chronicle of humanity’s gradual understanding of the Universe and its own place within it.
I’m proud to note that Planetarium Noosphere is featured in this book as part of the international planetarium community, as an institution that combines innovation, science popularization, and an important social mission. It is a great honor for us to be recognized among the planetariums that both preserve the heritage and shape the future of this field.
This book was made possible thanks to the remarkable work of authors such as Liba Taub, Pedro M. P. Raposo, Katie Boyce-Jacino, Mike Smail, Matthew McMahon, and others. They brought together biographies, stories of places, unique instruments, and personal experiences from around the world, creating a mosaic that reveals the depth and beauty of planetarium practice.
This is a true celebration for the entire international planetarium community – and a wonderful opportunity to reflect on who we are today and what the planetarium of the future will be,” said Yuliia Prybytkova, Executive Director of the NGO “Aerospace Museum Center for Culture and Education of Youth” (Planetarium Noosphere).
New Era of Planetarium Noosphere
Planetarium Noosphere reopened in January 2021 after a complete overhaul, transforming into a modern STEAM-based science and education center for exploration, discovery, and creativity. Today, it is equipped with the most advanced technology in Ukraine, enabling it to bring together science, innovation, and creativity in a format that captivates both children and adults. This modernization of Planetarium Noosphere was initiated by Max Polyakov, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the NGO “Association Noosphere”.
Over the years, Planetarium Noosphere has evolved into more than just a place for science popularization – it has become a vital center of cultural development. Its unique exhibition areas, with no analogues in Ukraine, have become a hallmark and a source of inspiration for visitors from across the country.
In 2023, Planetarium Noosphere opened the Mars Zone – the only exhibition space in Ukraine that invites visitors to explore the Red Planet: here visitors can walk on its surface, admire breathtaking Martian landscapes, learn more about Mars and its moons, and take unforgettable photos. A highlight of the Mars Zone is an astronaut suit installation that allows visitors to imagine themselves as the first astronauts on Mars. The exhibit also features a model of a Mars rover and an interactive project envisioning a future settlement on Mars.
In 2024, Planetarium Noosphere expanded its exhibition with another unique location – the Moon Zone, which also has no analogues in Ukraine. It transports visitors to heavily cratered lunar plains, where they can explore the surface of Earth’s only natural satellite and peer beneath its crust using the largest interactive Moon globe in Ukraine. Visitors can discover what lunar rovers are searching for and how the Moon could support future missions to other planets. They can also take part in an exciting selenography quest presented as an interactive computer game.
New exhibits, interactive features, updated science exhibitions, and gamification have transformed a visit to Planetarium Noosphere into a true educational adventure. Visitors can explore gravity on different celestial bodies, terraform fictional planets using an interactive sandbox, join guided tours, and enjoy breathtaking 4K fulldome films in the Star Theater. Today, Planetarium Noosphere is a place where science inspires, broadens horizons, and leaves lasting impressions.
Today, the repertoire of Planetarium Noosphere includes more than 40 interactive programs that not only entertain but also introduce audiences to the basics of astronomy and natural sciences, answering the most fascinating questions about the Universe. All programs are adapted for different age groups: from engaging programs for children aged 4+, to programs for curious young space explorers aged 8+, 12+, and 16+ and adults.
Fulldome Film Production: A Unique Capability in Ukraine
One of the most remarkable achievements of Planetarium Noosphere was the creation of its video production studio in 2023. The studio specializes in creating fulldome films and animations, as well as producing immersive content for musical and themed programs.
The themes of Planetarium Noosphere’s full-dome films include Solar System exploration, the colonization of other planets, sustainable development, and the digital preservation of Ukrainian cultural heritage. Each fulldome film aims to promote science, raise awareness of environmental challenges, and preserve cultural values.
Planetarium Noosphere has produced nine fulldome films, each revealing a new perspective of space exploration, including:
- “Stellar Nursery: From Atoms to Life”
- “Landscapes of the Universe Through the Hubble Telescope”
- “Space Cruise”
- “Space Weekend: In Search of a New Home”
- “Beyond the Sky: The Great Space Clean-up”
- “Our Space Address”
- “Ukrainian Space”
- “Stars: Looking into the Infinity”
- “After the Guiding Star”
This year, two fulldome films produced by Planetarium Noosphere have been selected for screening at the Fulldome Festival Brno 2025, which proves the high quality of the team’s creative and scientific achievements.
Social Initiatives and International Cooperation
Planetarium Noosphere also implements a range of social initiatives to promote science and support the community. One of the key programs offers free astronomy and natural science lessons under the planetarium’s dome for schoolchildren in Dnipro. Schoolchildren have the opportunity to explore the exhibition zone with a guide, interact with interactive exhibits, learn fascinating facts about space, and watch a fulldome animated film. Since December 1, 2023, nearly 20,000 schoolchildren from Dnipro have attended these free astronomy and natural science lessons.
This educational program reflects the institution’s mission – to inspire and form the next generation of explorers of the Universe. Moreover, it aligns with international educational trends focused on developing STEAM competencies, fostering critical thinking, and engaging young people with science and technology in a global context.
As part of its strategic course toward integration into the international scientific and educational community, Planetarium Noosphere joined the International Planetarium Society (IPS) in 2023 — the world’s largest organization of planetarium professionals. This membership not only confirmed the high standard of the planetarium’s educational activities but also opened up new opportunities for international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the implementation of innovative approaches and best practices.
Within this global context, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Planetarium Noosphere developed and launched a unique “space retreat” program for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The program ihelps to reduce psycho-emotional stress, stimulate sensory perception, and support mental well-being through immersive experiences. With no known analogues worldwide, this innovative practice attracted international attention: on July 22, 2024, the space retreat was presented at the IPS 2024 International Conference in Berlin and Jena, Germany. Since March 15, 2022, nearly 12,800 IDPs have participated in free space retreat sessions.
At the same time, Planetarium Noosphere actively represents Ukraine and Dnipro on the international cultural stage. During the festival “Dnipro Days in Köln”, Planetarium Noosphere presented the exhibition “Dnipro and Space”, featuring a virtual reality experience, a digital game “Ukrainian Space”, and the fulldome films “Ukrainian Space” and “Beyond the Sky: The Great Space Clean-up”. In recognition of its role in promoting science and modern Ukrainian culture, Planetarium Noosphere was awarded a letter of gratitude from Dnipro’s Mayor Borys Filatov at the end of 2024.
New Space Surprises Await
Planetarium Noosphere is confidently moving forward on its path of continuous development, scientific inspiration, and new discoveries. Ahead lies a milestone event — the fifth anniversary of its overhaul, which will be not only a time to celebrate but also a launchpad for even more ambitious ideas, initiatives, and surprises already in the making for a grand premiere!
“The team of Planetarium Noosphere expresses its sincere gratitude to our patron Max Polyakov for his unwavering support, belief in science, and the inspiration he brings to our entire community. Thanks to his foresight and strategic vision, we can implement world-class projects, promote space education in Ukraine, and represent our country on the international stage.
The story of Planetarium Noosphere published in the pages of the fundamental international edition, dedicated to the history of planetariums, is not only the result of our teamwork, but also of the consistent support from those who believe in the power of knowledge. Max Polyakov is a prime example of such commitment. His contribution to the development of science, technology, and culture is vital for the future of Ukraine!
We are proud to work alongside a visionary who is opening the path to the stars for thousands of Ukrainian children!” — concluded Yuliia Prybytkova, Executive Director of the NGO “Aerospace Museum Center for Culture and Education of Youth” (Planetarium Noosphere).
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