Star theatre: the story of the planetarium

Most of us can recall a childhood visit to a planetarium: the sense of anticipation as the room darkens.

The stars begin to appear as the voice of an astronomer is heard.

In the planetarium, where the audience is transported to distant galaxies, the wondrous complexity of the cosmos combines with entertainment to become a theater of the night.

This book explores the history of the planetarium's mix of science and spectacle.