Johannesburg Planetarium

About Johannesburg Planetarium

While a stay in Johannesburg might largely be about shopping and entertainment, those that travel to South Africa often remark on the spectacular skies and their endless night-time display of stars. The Johannesburg Planetarium celebrates the incomprehensible vastness of the heavens and its stars, and invites visitors to be part of the glittery magic. Because it is owned by the University of the Witwatersrand, this awesome attraction is also known as the Wits Planetarium.

This planetarium was built in 1960 and continues to welcome tens of thousands of visitors every year. Children love exploring the planetarium, and learning about the Milky Way, constellations, other galaxies, individual stars, the movement of the moon, and how the earth fits into it all so seamlessly.

The regular shows invite visitors to sit back and be awed by the spectacular display that is put on above them, as the “sky” lights up with millions of stars. The shows (for the public and for school children and groups) usually take about an hour and immerse guests and young minds in a spectacular world that reveals some of the secrets of the universe, its awesome size, and the silent choreography that takes place millions of light years away.

The staff members are knowledgeable, and can provide added information, intuitive insights, and answers to some complex questions about stars, planets, and the universe.

There is a Space Travel show for children between the ages of five and eight years old. This is a pre-recorded show, where little ones can go with Thomas on this rocket to learn about three constellations, astronauts on the moon, and the way that the moon influences tides.

There is place for 400 visitors at a time and tickets can be bought online (webtickets.co.za) or at the door, 30 minutes before each show. Group visits need to be booked in advance.