About the Adler

Vision

To inspire the next generation of explorers and become the world’s premier space science center.

Organization

Founded in 1930 by Chicago businessman Max Adler, the Adler Planetarium was America’s First Planetarium. The museum is home to two full-size planetarium theaters, including the world's first all-digital projection Definiti Space Theater and one of the world's most important collections of antique scientific instruments and works on paper. The Adler is a recognized leader in science education and research, with a focus on inspiring young people.

Intriguing Facts About the Adler

• The Adler is built on an artificial island in Lake Michigan. Northerly Island, as it is now called, was the first of what was to be a series of artificial islands stretching along Chicago’s lakefront. The permanent land link was constructed soon after the planetarium was built.
• Each of the twelve corners of the Adler is decorated by a bronze plaque, which represents a sign of the zodiac. These plaques were created by sculptor Alfonso Ianelli.
• The Adler, an historic landmark building, was designed by architect Ernest Grunsfeld whose grandson John Grunsfeld, PhD (Chicago native and Adler Astro-Science Workshop alumnus) is now a NASA astronaut. Grunsfeld will return to space in October 2008 on the Hubble Telescope servicing mission, his fifth space mission.
• The dedication plaque located in the Adler’s Rainbow Lobby depicts the gods and goddesses for which the planets are named. Pluto is missing because it was not discovered until February 18, 1930, after the plaque was created.
• In 1933, light from the star Arcturus was converted into electrical signals, sent to the Adler and used to turn on the lights at the World’s Fair on opening night.
• The Adler houses one of the world's finest collections of astronomical artifacts, including treasures such as the world's oldest known window sundial (dated 1529) and a telescope made by William Herschel. The oldest artifacts in the collection date back to the 12th century.
• In 2006, the Adler opened Shoot for the Moon, an exhibition highlighting the exciting stories of space exploration and America’s bold plans to return to the Moon. It features the fully-restored Gemini 12 spacecraft - flown in 1966 by astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell, as well as Captain Lovell's personal collection of space artifacts.