We are improving the collection presentation of the Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium. Due to this some rooms are closed temporarily and objects are not in display.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
The planetarium room and the impressive radar form the oldest still-functioning planetarium in the world. But there is still more to see! Discover Eisinga's former wool combing establishment, astronomical instruments, a screening room, changing exhibitions and a focus on modern astronomy.
View the current position of the planetarium (and therefore of the planets).
In addition to the Planetarium room, the planetarium offers a beautiful collection of astronomical instruments and a contemporary exhibition about our solar system and the universe. Other permanent parts of the museum include Eisinga's former wool combing establishment and an extensive collection of historical astronomical instruments. Modern astronomy is also represented. Non-stop documentaries are shown in the screening room. Experience how Eisinga lived in the historic house and digitally browse through Eisinga's beautiful mathematical and astronomical manuscripts! The interactive permanent exhibition 'De Ruimte' (Space) has been open to the public since 2016.
How does a telescope work, what causes solar and lunar eclipses, and how much do you weigh on the moon? These and more questions will be answered in the interactive exhibition ‘De Ruimte’ (Space). Put the earth in motion yourself, let Eisinga's radar turn, and look for the right answer to all kinds of questions.
In the mood for a drink or bite to eat after your visit to the planetarium? The cosy Planetarium Café and Brasserie De Stadstuin are both located in the former Van Balen coffee-roasting house, which is fully decorated in Art Nouveau style. After your visit to the Planetarium, enjoy a delicious cup of coffee with a sweet snack, lunch or dinner. Brasserie De Stadstuin is also a great location for meetings or events. For more information: Brasserie De Stadstuin, +31 (0) 517-382106, www.brasseriedestadstuin.nl
A delicious 'ice cold' beer, named after the world famous Planetarium. With Eise Eisinga's portrait on it, it's a 'heavenly' beer.
The year 2018 is a special year for the Planetarium. Not only is it a year filled with Frisian culture but also the 250th anniversary of when Eise and his wife Pietje moved to the city of Franeker in 1768 to start their own wool carding business. In the same house in which he would start work on his Planetarium six years later. And in 1818, exactly 200 years ago, King Willem I came to Franeker to admire this amazing feat.
Much has happened in the field of astronomy over the last 250 years. When Eisinga built his Planetarium, Saturn was the farthest known planet from the Sun. Since then, we have discovered not only more planets in our solar system but also thousands of planets orbiting other stars. And this year, the TESS space telescope has started searching for planets that could harbour life. Does our Earth have a sister planet?
While Eise used the Planetarium in his living room to explain how gravity keeps the Moon revolving around the Earth, astronomer Stephen Hawking later has taught us a lot about the nature of black holes. The gravitational pull of black holes is so strong that even light travelling at a speed of 300,000 kilometres an second cannot escape.
This is just one of the many discoveries made in recent years. The exhibition entitled “From ‘Long Live the House of Orange’ to Black Holes” presents the iconic moments in the history of the Planetarium as well as the discoveries made about our universe in the last 250 years.
Eise Eisingastraat 3
8801 KE Franeker
telefoon 0517 - 393 070
Vragen of opmerkingen?
info@eisinga-planetarium.nl
