The planetarium in Aktobe owes its existence to an unusual international exchange. In the early 1960s, the region produced a record grain harvest and sent part of it to East Germany as a gesture of goodwill. In response, German scientists gifted Aktobe a state-of-the-art Carl Zeiss projector. A building was constructed for the equipment, and the planetarium opened its doors in 1967.

Inside, visitors find a domed hall with panoramas of the solar system, a detailed star map, and visualizations of the Martian surface. There are also themed zones that trace the history of astronautics. It’s a chance to explore the cosmos without needing complex terminology or academic background.

The planetarium hosts astronomy contests, scientific conferences, and meetings with researchers. With prior booking, you can arrange telescope sessions to observe planets and celestial events far from the glare of city lights.

Opening hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on Sunday.

How to get there?

Address: 50a Jankoja Batyr St.

You can reach the Planetarium by buses #1, 5, 9, 11, 24, and 37.

Other tourist attractions near the Planetarium:

• Church of the Archangel Michael
• Pushkin Park
• Aktobe Regional Drama Theater
• Aktobe Railway Station
• Lokomotiv Movie Theater