Eise Eisinga Planetarium Franeker - Museum

The Eise Eisinga Planetarium is a special cultural heritage located in the Frisian town of Franeker. The planetarium was built by Eise Eisinga in the late 18th century and is still fully operational. The planetarium is one of the oldest working planetariums in the world and is considered one of the most important scientific and technological achievements in Dutch history.

History

The planetarium is housed in a beautiful historic building that once served as the home of Eise Eisinga and his family. The building has now been converted into a museum and is a major tourist attraction in Franeker and Friesland. The museum offers visitors the chance to see the planetarium up close and learn more about the history of the planetarium and the science of astronomy.

Eise Eisinga built the planetarium in his house because he was concerned about the predictions of the astrologers of the time that a number of planets would align in 1774 and that this would lead to a catastrophic earthquake. Eisinga wanted to reassure his family and friends by showing that these predictions were incorrect and that the planets would continue to follow their normal orbits.

How it works

The planetarium consists of a complicated mechanism that simulates the movement of the sun, moon, planets and stars. The mechanism is completely mechanical and works based on the movements of a series of wheels, gears and other parts. The planetarium has a diameter of almost 7 meters and shows the solar system and the movements of the celestial bodies in real time.

The museum also offers educational programs for schools and adults. These programs are aimed at increasing knowledge about astronomy and stimulating interest in science and technology. The educational programs include interactive exhibits, guided tours and workshops for children.

Other facilities

In addition to the planetarium, the museum also offers facilities such as a café, a shop and a library. The caféé serves local food and drinks, while the shop offers a wide variety of souvenirs, gifts and books about the planetarium and astronomy. The library offers an extensive collection of books and magazines on astronomy and science.