Al Thuraya Planetarium
Qatar, Doha
Located within the vibrant Katara Cultural Village, Al Thuraya Planetarium serves as a beacon for scientific literacy and a core component of Qatar’s cultural outreach, dedicated to making astronomy and space science accessible and engaging for all residents and visitors. It perfectly aligns with the nation’s focus on education and knowledge-sharing. The facility utilizes its cutting-edge, full-dome digital system to offer immersive educational experiences in both Arabic and English, highlighting the historical contributions of Arab astronomers while inspiring the next generation of Qatari scientists and space enthusiasts through unique cosmic journeys.
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The primary highlight is the Digital Dome Theater, which features a massive 22-meter screen and seating for 200, offering captivating 2D and 3D shows about the universe. The planetarium also houses a small museum with interactive exhibits, including models of planets and space suits, and information on famous Arab astronomers. The operating system, Digistar, allows for complex 3D illustrations and live streaming.
Admission to the Al Thuraya Planetarium is generally Free of Charge for all visitors. However, attendance to the dome shows and special events typically requires a free online booking or pre-registration via the Katara website, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited seating (200 seats). It is advisable to book as soon as tickets become available, often 24 hours before the show.
Since admission and tickets for the free shows are reserved without a purchase fee, there is no monetary cancellation or refund policy. However, visitors who cannot attend a show they have booked should ideally cancel their reservation online to allow other guests on the waiting list to fill the limited seats. Failure to arrive on time may result in the seat being forfeited.
The Al Thuraya Planetarium is fully committed to accessibility. The facility provides wheelchair-accessible entrances and has reserved seating within the main show hall for people with disabilities, as well as designated seats for elderly visitors. The location within Katara Cultural Village also offers accessible parking and facilities.
Visitors are kindly requested to wear respectful attire in line with the cultural setting of Katara (modest dress code is appreciated). Eating and drinking are strictly prohibited inside the exhibition halls and the dome theatre. Visitors must adhere to the age restriction for the planetarium dome show, typically 5 years and older, for the safety and comfort of all guests.
The free admission to the Al Thuraya Planetarium does not include any form of personal or accident insurance. Visitors are advised that their participation is at their own risk, and they must rely on their own comprehensive travel or personal insurance policies for any liability or unforeseen incidents.
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