JPA Journal vol.21, pp.36-43, published in Jan. 2023
English ver. uploaded on JPA website* in Apr. 2023

Our Work at Kharkiv Planetarium named after Yu. O. Gagarin
Original Ukrainian title: Особливості роботи Харківського планетарію імені Ю.О. ГагарінаBy Olena Zemliachenko (Олена Земляченко)1. Introduction

projecting stars and planets, with a dome measuring

The world’s first planetarium opened in Germany a13.5 m in diameter and a seating capacity of 160. The

century ago. The starry sky optically created on ahall consists of two seating areas, one on each side ofdome-shaped screen not only fascinated people but

the projector. All seats face in the same direction. The

also provided amazing learning opportunities. It was afloor is level for the front five rows, but stepped for theharbinger of a new era. Interest in planetariums hasrear five rows for a better view of the shows. The

since spread globally. Today there are over 4,000

planetarium is situated on the third floor of the building,planetariums in the world, and ever-advanced opticaland the observatory equipped with telescopes is on

mechanisms are being developed to simulate thethe fourth floor. Until 2022, the planetarium received

night sky. Planetariums today make full use ofas many as 100,000 visitors annually (Photo 1).

computer and digital technologies to reproduce thebeauty of starlit skies. Japan is one of the countries
providingoriginalprojectors,programs,andeducational materials to planetariums around theworld. Not all planetariums in the world, however, arefully functioning. In February 2022, the RussianFederation launched a war against Ukraine, asovereign state in Europe.
2. Planetariums in Ukraine
Ukraine has planetariums in the seven cities of Kyiv,
Kharkiv (Kharkiv Planetarium named after Yu. O.
Gagarin), Dnipro (Planetarium Noosphere), Donetsk,
Kherson (Kherson Planetarium named after Yu. O.
Gagarin), Vinnytsia, and Odesa.
Each of these planetariums is equipped with a starhall, exhibition space, and observatory. Ukraine has
smaller planetariums also in Uzhhorod, Uman,
Mykolaiv, Zaporizhia, and Kremenchuk, where shows
are presented to smaller audiences (see map at theend of the text, added by JPA editorial board).
3. Outline of Kharkiv Planetarium named after Yu.

Photo 1. Exterior view of Kharkiv Planetarium named afterYu. O. Gagarin.

It was not by chance that the Kharkiv Planetarium

O. Gagarin

opened the same year as the dawning of the age ofKharkiv Planetarium named after Yu. O. Gagarin

human space exploration. Instrumental in the Kharkiv

opened on April 21, 1957. It is housed in a four-story

Planetarium’s founding was Kharkiv-born astronomer

building. It has a generously-sized Star Hall forand honorary doctor Nikolai Pavlovich Barabashov1*JPA (Japan Planetarium Association) website: https://planetarium.jp/1

Photo 2 (left). Young visitors pictured in front of exhibits about ancient Egypt.
Photo 3 (center). The center of the museum, with a display of a model of Space Shuttle Columbia,2 manned by a crew including
Leonid Kadenyuk, the first astronaut from independent Ukraine. Next to it is a display on Yuri Gagarin, who made humankind’s
first successful journey into outer space.
Photo 4 (right). Lecturer Olena Zemliachenko (the author) offering commentary to a group of children about the real lunar rover
wheel on display.

and his wide network in the international scientificcosmonauts. One was Alexei Leonov, who received

community.

Barabashov

offighter pilot and academic training at the oblast school

planetarium

studies,laterfor air force pilots before becoming the first human toandformed

aseveralschool
years

established the physical properties of the lunar

conduct

surface through his research. A real sense ofcosmonauts were born in or near Kharkiv City. Kharkiv

anticipation for an amazing era of unprecedented

City-native Valentin Bondarenko was unfortunately

scientific and technological breakthroughs in humanamong the space explorers who lost their lives. Aspace exploration was shared widely by scientists ofmember of the first group of cosmonaut trainees,the day.

Bondarenko died in a fire during training in an isolation

aspacewalk.

Sixof

thetwenty-twochamber on March 23, 1961. The accident occurred
4. Kharkiv, a city of space science

just three weeks before Yuri Gagarin set off on hisKharkiv has long been a city of science and cutting-journey to become the first human to reach outeredge technology. V. N. Karazin Kharkiv Nationalspace.

University3 was founded in Kharkiv in the 19th century.
A university of major global importance, Kharkiv

5. The Space Museum, a highlight of Kharkiv

University today ranks among the best in Europe.

Planetarium

Kharkiv can be rightly called a city of space science.

The first floor of Kharkiv Planetarium is devoted to theIn the mid-20th century, the city was home to thirty

Museum of Cosmonautics. Exhibits here show how

space

120,000

cosmic events have captured the human imagination

specialists. Kharkiv businesses today continue to playthroughout history, from ancient to contemporary

a vital role in Ukraine’s space industry, most notably

times. Subjects covered include ancient myths fromin the production of rocket and spacecraft control

around the world pertaining to the celestial and earthly

systems.

realms; space symbolism represented in ancientbusinesses

employingnearlyKharkiv Oblast has so far given the world twenty-twomonuments and ornaments; the beginnings of

JPA Journal vol.21, pp.36-43
2

scientific and philosophical thinking traceable as far

6. Star Hall, the heart of every planetariumback as ancient Greece; early telescopes; pictorial

Planetariums play very important roles in therepresentations of the world as perceived bydissemination of knowledge about astronomy, earth

contemporaries

Galileo;science, and outer space. Planetariums can host

exploration of outer space with the first artificial

space education classes, astronomy club activities,

satellite and Yuri Gagarin’s space flight; explorations

art exhibitions, and concerts, and celebrate landmarkof the moon by Apollo spacecrafts; international space

events in the history of human space exploration4 ascooperation; and the construction of the International

well as provide opportunities for members of the public

Space Station in orbit around the Earth. Objects on

to meet astronauts, amateur astronomers, anddisplay include planetary models of Mars, the moon,scientists. Planetariums today perform a myriad ofand Earth; models and photographs of various types

tasks, the foremost of which is the presentation ofof rockets, artificial satellites, space stations, andshows at the star hall.

ofCopernicus

andtelescopes; figurines of cosmonauts; and a large

Since opening to the public, the projection system atnumber of rare objects, medals, postage stamps, andKharkiv Planetarium has gone through two updates. Acosmonaut

Baikonurfairly simple system was used initially. In 1975 thisCosmodrome. Also on display is a real Soviet robotic

was replaced by a Zeiss Spacemaster RFP or “Middlelunar rover wheel, which, like all others of its type, wasZeiss” projector (Photo 5). Although well-used over

manufactured in Kharkiv (Photos 2, 3, and 4).

many years, this machine still delivers projections thatautographs

giftedbyare astonishingly realistic and immersive.

Photo 5 (left). The “Middle Zeiss” planetarium projector currently installed at the Star Hall.
Photo 6 (top right). Projection of a fulldome image with a cityscape of Kharkiv on the horizon.
Photo 7 (bottom right). “Jazz Under the Stars,” a live music concert held at the Star Hall.

JPA Journal vol.21, pp.36-43
3

Since 2014, the planetarium has been using eightnumber of scientific and educational shows in the fieldprojectors to deliver fulldome shows (Photo 6).

of astronomy are available for astronomy enthusiasts.

Especially popular with visitors are the 4K resolution

Showsforschoolchildren

aredesignedtoshows. Prior to this, our shows were flatscreencomplement school learning. The Kharkiv Planetarium

projections

Thehas courses of shows in astronomy, physics,

introduction of the state-of-the-art system was driven

ecological science, and geography. Teachers canby our desire to deliver fascinating content to visitors

choose either individual subjects, or entire courses,

by embracing the unstoppable advancement of digitalwith tickets priced accordingly.

employingasingleprojector.

technology. The control system currently in use was

For younger children there are tales of space anddeveloped by a Kharkiv programmer. Because thespace flight adventures to be enjoyed. During the New

Kharkiv Planetarium has been operated without

Year holidays, the planetarium has special space-financial support from the city or state throughout its

themed surprises in store for children. New shows

existence, it cannot afford the luxury of purchasing

introducing children to the night sky are presented

ready-made fulldome systems. The programmer who

every year. Additionally, children are entertained with

developed our system not only provides fixes andgreetings from the star of the holiday season, Father

improvements on an ongoing basis but also supports

Frost (Ded Moroz) and his granddaughter, the Snow

Ukraine’s other planetariums in building projection

Maiden (Snegurochka). After immersing themselves

systems to meet individual dome diameter and budget

in the dark night sky, children are treated to cheerfulrequirements.

games, singing, and dance offerings at the Theater.

This

projection

programcanbeoperated via a dedicated smartphone app.

At the Kharkiv Planetarium, shows are always

Kharkiv Planetarium presents planetarium shows

accompanied by a rich array of music. Occasionallyfrom a wide range of producers. Some are foreign

there are also themed live music performances. The

productions, which need translation into Ukrainian andsounds of organ, piano, violin, accordion, bandura (asometimes

dome

Ukrainian stringed instrument), drum, flute, andspecifications before presentation to audiences. Staff

saxophone echo inside the dome as audienceat the Donetsk Planetarium create planetarium

members soak up the mesmerizing images of spacecontent not just for Ukrainian audiences but also for

projected onto the Star Hall dome (Photo 7).

also

needadjustingtoourexport to planetariums worldwide. I was delighted tocome across their shows in Japan, and felt extremely

7. Special nighttime telescope observing

proud as a fellow Ukrainian. Ukraine also has Dnipro-sessions

and Kyiv-based groups of amateur planetarium

Another wonderful program at Kharkiv Planetarium iscontent

ourthe stargazing session. The planetarium’s reflector

planetarium in Kharkiv, where employees, including

telescope has a 150 mm aperture, a focal length ofmyself, would translate text into Ukrainian, provide

2250 mm, a tube length of under 1 m, and maximum

commentary dubbing, and produce soundtracks

magnification of 375x.

producers.

Nolesshands-on

iscombining speech and music. The selection of videos

In the past, telescope observing sessions were held

for presentation is also done in-house. Wheneverregularly in the early evenings to observe the moon,required by show subjects, we use, in addition toplanets, star clusters, and nebulae. Visitors would

fulldome content, flatscreen videos projected onto theenjoy spending time photographing observation

center front of the dome.

targets through the eyepiece, or taking snapshots ofShows cover a wide range of subjects. A greatthemselves against the night cityscape.

JPA Journal vol.21, pp.36-43
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8. Virtual telescope observing, an ideal solution

9. Private programs, a great option for romantic

for children

occasions

Real telescope observing is limited to adult visitors,

The spread of Covid-19 increased the demand for ourhowever, because the sessions usually take place

private programs. Private renting of the planetarium isduring late hours that are less than ideal for children.

ideal for users looking for optimized learning

It would also be harder for children to philosophicallyexperiences. The privacy offered by this service hasaccept that it is only when skies are cloudless thatbeen popular also for declaring love, making marriage

stars can be seen, let alone reveal their beauty to us

proposals, or celebrating anniversaries under thethrough astronomical telescopes.

starry sky of the planetarium. Our private programs

Our solution to this dilemma was to offer virtualoffer options catering to all tastes and age groups.

telescope observing sessions. In a room decorated onPlanetariums

serve

both

educationalandthe theme of planet Mars, commentaries are provided

recreational needs. Planetariums offer experienceson the features of Mars and on flight plans to thethat reaffirm our shared humanity. Collaborating withplanet. The eyepiece of the “telescope” shows

movements for protecting the global environment iscomputer-generated images of celestial bodies, which

therefore another important part of what we do at thenonetheless appear to visitors as if they are watching

Kharkiv Planetarium. The world’s planetariums canthem in real time because the source of the images isplay central roles in advancing global harmony,

not apparent. Both children and adults find our virtual

aspirations for peace, environmental protection, andtelescope observing sessions highly enjoyable (Photocivilization.

8).

All of us live together in a shared house calledEarth.
10. About the author
My name is Olena Zemliachenko. I worked as acoordinator at the Kharkiv Planetarium for seven years.
The staff was small, meaning each member performed
multiple tasks. Below is a brief description of my duties
at the planetarium.
My main responsibilities included giving lectures at
the Star Hall, where projections of constellations took
place, and at the Space Museum and Virtual
Telescope sessions. I also compiled new lectures.
Additionally, I performed the following duties:

Creating monthly lecture schedules



Keeping abreast of the progress of and creating
reports on work performed by lecturers


Photo 8. Lecturer Olena Zemliachenko (the author,pictured right) in the virtual telescope hall accompanied byphysics students.

Creating and recording audio material for new
educational lectures

Runninghighlyspecialized

physicsandastronomy programs at the planetarium for high
JPA Journal vol.21, pp.36-43
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school and university students

11. Support for Ukraine’s planetariumsEditing fulldome films (on an occasional basis)

I am often asked what Ukrainian planetariums need

Mobile planetarium shows at schools andthe most, to which I confidently reply as follows:

kindergartens

Planetarium equipment enables us to screen the mostConducting, as an animator, the planning andengaging space journeys visitors can ever hope to

execution of birthday parties for children

experience. However, fresh content is constantly

Execution and sales of lectures; marketing torequired. Forty-minute-long fulldome shows are very

increase visitors and corporate clients

expensive for planetariums in Ukraine to purchase.

Active participation in astronomy conferences inFor this reason, I am hugely grateful to theUkraine; and in international conferences relatedInternational Planetarium Society for making freeto planetariums

resources available.5 We were also helped by India


several years ago, when the country offered us theMy duties were manifold, but I held each in great

opportunity to purchase content at reduced prices.

importance and miss them all. A particular favorite

The Kyiv and Kharkiv Planetariums took up this offer

was taking planetarium shows to schools andbecause they found the purchase conditions workable,

kindergartens by means of an inflatable dome

though other planetariums did not. The ongoing war

complete with projector and compact projecting

makes it near-impossible for us to buy content. Manyequipment. Bringing the portable dome theater toplanetariums have sustained physical damage as well.

schools allowed children—who were fascinated by theThe Kharkiv Planetarium has lost its windows, floors,“spaceship” that had appeared in their assemblyand central heating system. It would be prohibitively

hall—toandexpensive to bring the planetarium back into fullconstellations without the inconvenience of travel

service. Situations are further complicated in Donetsk(Photo 9).

and Kherson by the fact that their planetariums have

enjoy

projectionsofplanets

been seized by Russian aggressors. As of the
beginning of autumn 2022, the only planetariums still
actively welcoming visitors are those in Kyiv, Vinnytsia,and Odesa. As such, there would be nothing more
helpful to us than charitable donations of newplanetarium content. This form of support will help us
resume operations swiftly, and attract new visitors.
I firmly believe victory for Ukraine is not far away.
The people, cities, and planetariums of Ukraine willhold out. I am deeply grateful to Japan and theJapanese people for supporting us in these difficult
times. I had never expected such kindness fromcomplete strangers, so thank you from the bottom ofmy heart. The plight of my motherland breaks my heart,
Photo 9. An inflatable, portable dome installed in a school
assembly hall.

but this situation is even more dire for my family andfellow countryfolk who remain in Ukraine. I genuinelyJPA Journal vol.21, pp.36-43
6

wish I could go home, home to where people arestaying put to protect our country, and mourning or
dreading the loss of their kin and loved ones. I missmy parents and the job I love. I yearn for the end of
this terror, when I can once again hold a microphoneand say, “Hello! I am delighted to welcome you all tothe Star Hall of the Kharkiv Planetarium!”Acknowledgements
I wish to thank Galina Vasilyevna Zhelezniak, thedirector of the Kharkiv Planetarium, for helping me put
this text together. Photographic materials include
those from the Kharkiv Planetarium website.6

Olena Zemliachenko, the author

Notes
1. Микола Павлович Барабашов (March 30, 1894 – April 29, 1971).
2. Used for the STS-87 mission launched November 19, 1997, which also included Takao Doi among its crewmembers.
3. Харківський национальний университет імені В. Н. Каразіна, named after its founder, Vasily Karazin.
4. These include Cosmonautics Day observed on April 12 to commemorate the world’s first crewed spaceflight achieved by Yuri Gagarin; and October 4, launch day of the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1.
5. The IPS (International Planetarium Society) website (https://www.ips-planetarium.org/) publishes fulldome
programs available free of charge.
6. URL http://planetarium-kharkov.org/
This text uses the spelling “Yuri Gagarin” for Ю.О. Гагаріна (March 9, 1934 – March 27, 1968), who was on
board first human-crewed flight into outer space.

From JPA editorial board:
The original manuscript was written in Ukrainian and translated into Japanese and English by JPA editorial
board.

JPA Journal vol.21, pp.36-43
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Planetariums in 7 cities
 KyivКиїв KharkivХарківKharkiv Planetarium named after Yu. O. Gagarin

 DniproДніпро

Planetarium Noosphere DonetskДонецьк

 KhersonХерсон

 VinnytsiaВінниця

 OdesaОдеса

Kherson Planetarium named after Yu. O. Gagarin

Small planetariums in other cities
UzhhorodУжгород



Uman

Умань



MykolaivМиколаїв



ZaporizhiaЗапоріжжя



KremenchukКременчук

*The map and captions were added by JPA editorial board.

JPA Journal vol.21, pp.36-43
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