Planetarium presentations
Night sky of the month
Currently the show is available in Finnish only. The presentation depicts
current phenomena on the sky (constellations, planets, special objects and
atmospheric phenomena), and gives instructions on how to see all this with
your own eyes on a clear night. The show is renewed each month.
Length: approximately 20 minutes.
Astronomy now
Currently the show is available in Finnish only. This presenation describes
planets, stars and constellations on the night sky and e.g. the movements of
the Earth in space. Length: approximately 20 minutes.
Wonders of the Sky aka Children's Night Sky
The presentation takes audience on a tour to phenomena on the night sky and
fascinating objects in the universe in a way especially targeted to children.
Suits best to children of 4 to 10 years of age (naturally together with an
adult). English narrative by Sarah Bird. Length: approximately 20 minutes.
Other products
Observatory tour
The history and research of Tuorla Observatory are revealed on a tour to
one or two telescopes. Telescopes are not available for viewing the sky.
The length of the tour is approximately 20 min.
Presentation: Basic astronomy
Basic terminology of astronomy and most important phenomena and celestial
objects studied by astronomers are presented in this presentation. Length
is approximately 20 min.
Tailored services
Tuorla area is an excellent target both for travellers and organisers
of conferences or entertainment. Besides planetarium, the observatory
is a perfect location to learn more about astronomy and astronomical
instrumentation. The observatory lecture hall may be rented for
conferences.
Hostel Tuorla,
within a brief walking distance from the observatory, offers restaurant and
accommodation services, and rents both smaller meeting rooms and a larger
auditorium for conferences. Countryside College of Southwest Finland
provides tourist services in the form of a garden shop, gardening museum
and a multitude of domestic animals.
N.B. Even though there are no
continuous or glaring flashing lights or many very fast movements in our
planetarium shows, most sensitive people prone to epilepsy or migraine
should prepare for the impressiveness of our all-sky shows and e.g.
cover their eyes for a moment, if a need arises. We hope no inconvenience
is caused to anybody and ask you to report to us should anything happen
nonetheless.
Shows
We have a selection of five 20-30 minute full-sky shows. New shows are
acquired regularly so please check the situation regularly; preferably at
an interval of a couple of months at most.
Shows are
suited also to children, but their contents may be a little difficult to
understand for children who have not yet reached school age. It is
advisable to tell the smallest children that it is dark in the
planetarium. We recommend parental guidance for children under
15 years of age.
Black Holes - The Other Side of Infinity
Black holes are among the greatest mysteries of the universe. They
fascinate the imagination of scientists and general public alike.
We shall now get to know them through a visually spectacular show.
In the planetarium the audience has a chance of experiencing something
impossible in real life: what it is like to plunge into the irresistible
gape of a black hole. English narrative by Liam Neeson. Length:
approximately 22 minutes.
Secrets of the Sun
In the show the formation of the Sun, how it operates, and what is its
future are shown in a way that may change forever how you view the Sun.
English narrative by Brandy Snow. Length: approximately 20 minutes.
Seven Wonders
The show presents first the seven wonders of the ancient world in a
fabulous animation. Then the audience is taken in the middle of similar
selection of breathtakingly beautiful scenes discovered in the
unlimited reaches of the universe. English narrative by Sean Bean.
Length: approximately 30 minutes.
Wonders of the Universe
Hubble Space Telescope takes you to a journey through time and space to the
very beginning of the universe. On the way you will see how galaxies and
other cosmic structures have formed. The journey ends with a spectacular
flight through our own solar system. English narrative by Corey Burton.
Length: approximately 20 minutes.
Mystery of the Christmas Star
Travel 2000 years back in time with us to find out what kind of
astronomical phenomena were so significant that they gave rise to a
myth of a connection to the birth of a messiah. The show is suitable
for an audience of any age. English narrative by Brandy Snow and Michael
Daut. Length: approximately 30 minutes.