A Planetárium

The Maximilian Hell Regional Observatory and Planetarium in Žiar nad Hronom is a Slovak astronomy and science-education institution established under the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region. Its organisational units include the observatories in Banská Bystrica and Rimavská Sobota. The centre welcomes schools, organised groups and the general public, offering age-appropriate planetarium programmes, guided visits, specialist lectures and supplementary educational activities for preschool, primary, secondary and university students.

Public events include children’s shows, evening programmes beneath the simulated starry sky, and artistic and relaxation programmes. Visitors can book places for scheduled events, and electronic gift vouchers are available. The institution also offers exhibition spaces and hosts astronomy-themed exhibitions, including displays of large-format photographs documenting celestial objects and natural phenomena.

Alongside public education, the centre conducts and supports astronomical observation and research, including work on variable stars, meteors and occultations, and provides observing information about the Sun, the night sky and ISS passes. Its activities also cover meteorology, publications and support for amateur astronomers, including observing meetings and the Central Slovak Messier Marathon.