Science sights in Europe
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Royal Observatory
Following an ambitious £15-million renovation the Royal Observatory is now divided into two sections.
The northern half deals with time and is contained in the original Observatory that Charles II had built on a hill in the middle of Greenwich Park in 1675, intending that astronomy be used to establish longitude at sea. It contains the Octagon Room, designed by Wren, and the nearby Sextant Room where John Flamsteed (1646–1719), the first astronomer royal, made his observations and calculations.
The globe is divided between east and west at the Royal Observatory, and in the Meridian Courtyard you can place one foot either side of the meridian line and straddle the two h…
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The National Space Centre
The National Space Centre is a spectacular and successful attempt to bring space science to us ordinary mortals. Interactive displays cover cosmic myths, the history of astronomy and the development of space travel; in the Space Now! area you can check on the status of all current space missions.
Films in the domed Space Theatre (included in the admission price) launch you to the far reaches of the galaxy, and you can come back to earth with a coffee in Boosters Café. Don't miss the displays on zero-gravity toilets and the amazing germ-devouring underpants. The centre is off the A6 about 1.5 miles north of the city centre. Take bus No 54 from Charles St in the centre.
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Universeum
The spectacular Universeum is a top spot for families and nature fiends. A funicular takes you to the top of an indoor mountain, from where you follow the course of a Scandinavian stream down through rivers and lakes to the sea – shark tunnel ahoy! Things take a tropical turn in the absorbing rainforest: birds and butterflies flitter, while more gruesome denizens dwell in Piranha River, Caiman Creek, Anaconda Swamp and Stingray Lagoon. When you’re done, go button crazy with the fantastically fun, hands-on science exhibitions, where themes range from nanotechnology and space travel to mixing music.
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Osservatorio di Capodimonte
Overcast skies never faze the crew at Italy's oldest observatory - they simply look earthward for some of the best sea and skyline views in town. Perched high above the city, this elegant neoclassical number was founded by King Ferdinand I of Bourbon in 1819 and built according to the designs of astronomers Giuseppe Piazzai and Federico Zuccari. The in-house museum features an interesting collection of astronomical instruments.
The observatory's stunning location also makes a heavenly setting for occasional music concerts throughout the year. Check the website for upcoming events.
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Observatory
Just south of the town is Lipari's observatory, a small place with a big job - monitoring all the volcanic and seismic activity in the Mediterranean. Follow signs south to the Hotel Carasco and Porto delle Gente, which will lead you out to a promontory formed by Monte Giardina and Monte Guardia. From here a track leads through the vineyards to the Observatory with fantastic views across the water to Vulcano.
The route is clearly marked on the Isole Eolie o Lipari 1:25,000 map produced by Litografia Artistica Cartografica.
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Copernicus Tower
At the northwestern corner of the Cathedral Hill complex is the 14th-century Copernicus Tower. It's believed that the astronomer took some of his observations from here, and the top floor is set up to re-create his study; if he'd looked down, he could also have seen his own house, which was just across the road. At the time of research the tower was indefinitely closed to visitors; check with the ticket office to see if it's open when you arrive.
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Planetarium
Athens claims to have the world's largest and most technologically advanced digital Planetarium. The 280-seat planetarium, with a 950-sq-metre hemispherical dome, offers 3D virtual trips to the galaxy, as well as IMAX movies and other high-tech shows about Ancient Greece. There is simultaneous narration in English. The Planetarium is part of the Eugenides Foundation, a progressive scientific and educational institution. Enter from Penteli.
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F
Ledra Museum-Observatory
Not really a museum, although it likes to call itself one, Ledra Museum-Observatory is an observatory on top of Ermes (formerly Woolworths) department store. Basically a good vantage point over the city, here you can use telescopes to gaze at the whole of Lefkosia and trace the Green Line. It is also a great place to orient yourself. Explanations of various buildings and neighbourhoods are given in English, French and German.
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CERN
Founded in 1954, CERN, 8km west of Geneva near Meyrin, is a laboratory for research into particle physics. It accelerates electrons and positrons down a 27km circular tube (the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s biggest machine) and the resulting collisions create new forms of matter. Three-hour guided visits need to be booked at least one month in advance and you need your ID or passport.
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Štefánik Observatory
Just south of the funicular’s top station is this ‘people’s observatory’, opened in 1928 to further public awareness of astronomy and other sciences. There are exhibitions on astronomy, but the main attraction is the double Zeiss astrograph telescope, which also dates from 1928 and allows observation of the sun and sunspots. On clear nights you can observe the moon, stars and planets.
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Planetarium
Bulgaria’s biggest planetarium, about 200m west of Hotel Smolyan, offers a spectacular show (35 to 40 minutes) with commentary in English, French or German at 2pm from Monday to Saturday, and in Bulgarian at 3pm from Monday to Saturday, and Sunday at 11am and 3pm. The foreign-language shows are for groups of five or more; otherwise, you’ll pay 15 lv for a solo viewing.
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Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
The Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is a mini, indoor Jurassic Park - packed with the remains of belemnites, thrissops and the graceful plesiosaur. Its timeline emphasises what an insignificant blip humans are and the museum does a subtle, but good, education job. Lifelike dinosaur models will thrill youngsters - the fossilised tyrannosaurus eggs and 73kg dinosaur dung will have them in raptures.
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Mineralogical Museum
The Kola Scientific Centre's Mineralogical Museum, with 900 samples of Kola Peninsula minerals, rocks and ores, is a little more specialist than the Geological Museum but the colourful minerals from the Khibiny-Lovozero massif will impress anyone. Officially, visits should be prearranged, but if you ask at the reception desk of the building they'll probably send you on up to the museum.
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Astronomy Museum
The Astronomy Museum, on the 6th floor of the east wing of the Lyceum, contains 18th-century astronomical equipment and an observatory; climb three more floors up to the observation deck for a great view of the city and to try out the camera obscura, the 'eye of Eger', designed in 1776 to spy on the town and to entertain townspeople.
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Prague Planetarium
The planetarium in Stromovka park, just west of Výstaviště, presents various slide and video presentations in addition to the star shows. Most shows are in Czech only, but one or two of the more popular ones provide a text summary in English. There’s also an astronomical exhibition in the main hall.
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Belfry & Planetarium
Another feature of the Cathedral Hill complex is the is the former cathedral belfry, at the southwestern corner of the defensive walls. Go to the top of the tower for views of the cathedral, town, and the Vistula Lagoon and Vistula Spit. It has a planetarium at its base presenting half-hour shows in Polish.
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Parc d'Astronomie, du Soleil et du Cosmos
Across the river in Les Angles, planets loom large at the Parc d'Astronomie, du Soleil et du Cosmos, an astronomy park where young masterminds can follow a 1½-hour trail through garrigue to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Call ahead to check what workshops/guided visits it has that day.
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Aran Heritage Centre
For an informed appreciation of all three islands' history, geology and wildlife, stop in at the Aran Heritage Centre, just off the main road leading out of Kilronan. The admission fee covers regular screenings of Robert Flaherty's 1934 film Man of Aran. The centre also has a coffee shop.
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Astronomical Observatory
Copernicus fans can get a bit more hands-on at the astronomical observatory, located in an old water tower out to the east of town. It was enjoying a much-needed renovation at the time of writing; check with the tourist office for observation hours and prices.
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Planetarium Wolfsburg
On the hill just southwest of the southern end of Porschestrasse is Planetarium Wolfsburg, built in 1982 after VW bartered Golfs for Zeiss projectors with the GDR. It's got laser and rock shows, star shows and spoken-word performances set to the stars.
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Institute of Volcanology
One way to begin a volcano-centric trip is by taking in an expert’s lecture at the one-room exhibit in the Institute of Volcanology. You’ll need to prearrange an interpreter (about R1000 to R2000 per group) with a travel agency.
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Planetarium
Just over the border from Józsefváros in district X’ sprawling Népliget (People’s Park), this large planetarium has star shows as well as 3-D films and cartoons. It also houses the hokey but perennially popular Laser Theatre (Lézer Színház).
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Planetarium
For a dramatic look at the heavens, the planetarium has shows and occasional temporary exhibits. Soundtracks in English, German, French and Russian are generally offered during two shows a day, at noon and 2pm.
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Palace of Culture & Science
The dominating feature (and that of the city) is the Palace of Culture & Science, which rises high above the newly built skyscrapers that have begun to mark this area in the past 10 years.
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Geological Museum
Near Hotel Vostok, the Geological Museum is one of the best of its type, with three floors of minerals and petroleum-related exhibits. The 4th floor has ethnographic displays.
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