Planetarium am Insulaner
Since July 9, 2023, the Planetarium am Insulaner has been closed for extensive renovation and modernisation work and will be converted into a future-oriented educational center in the next few years. The Wilhelm Foerster Observatory is still open, we look forward to your visit!
The Planetarium am Insulaner with its magnificent artificial starry sky is located at the foot of the hill of the same name. Here, visitors can experience fascinating 360-degree shows, live astronomical lectures, radio plays, readings, music shows as well as children's programmes. In the Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte (Wilhelm-Foerster-Observatory), you can look through the large telescopes and observe numerous celestial objects with your own eyes when the weather is clear.
Library
The Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte e. V. association maintains a library with astronomical literature. Further information can be found on the association's website at www.wfs.berlin.
Getting here
Planetarium am Insulaner / Wilhelm-Foerster Sternwarte | Munsterdamm 90 | 12169 Berlin
S-Bahn
S2, S25, S26 → Priesterweg (10-minute walk)
Bus
187 → Planetarium
143 → Schöneberg, Planetarium
M76, 170, 246 → Insulaner
Car
There is a free parking lot next to the Planetarium am Insulaner.
Note for the summer months: as the car park is heavily used by swimming pool visitors, we recommend that you arrive by public transport.
Observatory guided tours for school classes
Observatory tours for school classes are available from Monday to Friday following visits to events in the Planetarium am Insulaner (start 9:30 & 11 am).
During the Berlin school holidays, observatory tours are included in the morning programme for school classes (start 11:45 & 13:15). Advance booking is not necessary.
Accessibility
The Planetarium am Insulaner is accessible for wheelchair users. However, there is no accessible toilet in the building itself.
Unfortunately, the Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte is not wheelchair-accessible.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Do you have any further questions about a planned visit? You can find our FAQS here.
You are also welcome to contact our information hotline with your questions:
Tel. +49 (30) 421 845-10
(Mon: 9:00 – 17:00 | Tue – Fri: 9:00 – 20:00 | Sat: 10:00 – 20:00 | Sun: 10:00 – 17:00)
Current visitor information
In order to protect you and our staff as well as possible during your visit, please observe our current hygiene and safety concept, which you can read here.
Information and ticket hotline
Tel. +49 30 421845-10
(Mon & Tue: 9:00 – 17:00 | Wed – Fri: 9:00 – 20:00 | Sat: 10:00 – 20:00 | Sun: 10:00 – 17:00)
info@planetarium.berlin
Opening hours
The Planetarium am Insulaner is currently closed for extensive renovation and modernisation work.
Guided tours of the observatory
On the top of the TRümmerberg Insulaner you can visit the Wilhelm-Foerster-Observatory (walking distance about 7 minutes):
Find out more about the observations, opening hours and dates.
History
The Planetarium am Insulaner and the Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte have been operated by the Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte e.V. association since their foundation in 1965 and 1963 respectively. Under a 20-metre-high dome, 291 visitors can sit in comfortable deckchairs. Since 1991, both the Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte and the planetarium have been listed buildings. In June 2015, the Planetarium am Insulaner celebrated its 50th anniversary. Since 1 July 2016, both facilities belong to the Stiftung Planetarium Berlin, which unites all of Berlin's astronomical institutions under one roof. The Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte e.V. association continues to take on various tasks as a support association. By the summer of 2023, almost 6,000,000 visitors had gazed at the starry sky in the Planetarium am Insulaner. From 9 July 2023 until probably 2026, the planetarium will be converted into a modern education centre as part of extensive renovation and modernisation work, and the technology will be brought up to date.
Technology and instruments
Until 2023 a historic Zeiss Vb star projector has shown the starry sky and the vastness of the universe. In course of the extensive modernisation work a new star projector will be installed and the planetarium hall will be equipped with modern fulldome technology, LED projectors and a new projection dome. We will keep you updated on the progress.
