Naval Hill Planetarium

The historic Lamont Hussey Observatory on Naval Hill was rebuilt to become the Naval Hill Planetarium Theatre. The first digital planetarium in Sub-Saharan Africa, the planetarium was inaugurated in 2013 and is located atop Navy Hill inside the Franklin Natural Reserve. It shows documentaries on stars, planets, and our solar system in its dome theater, enhancing the immersive experience with an amazing surround-sound system and several data projectors.

The first program, presented by the on-site astronomer, describes the night sky at that precise moment above, highlighting renowned constellations and enlarging a few of the planets that are currently visible. The Hot and Energetic Universe, the second program, gave an overview of the universe after the Big Bang and some of the future probes that will be used to investigate sources of light and energy that are not immediately visible to the human eye.

Both performances, which were projected onto the planetarium's interior dome, were excellent. Although the "sky" could be seen from all angles, it might be best to sit at the back so that you don't have to turn your head as much to see the complete projection. Outdoors, take in the expansive views of the reserve and look for animals including wildebeest, zebra, and bucks. Highly recommended for the aspiring astronomer, casual scientist, or for children (of all ages) with a curiosity in the cosmos. Do come a little early to explore Naval Hill Planetarium and snap a few pictures of the dome and telescope outdoors. It can be seen as one of the best places to visit in Bloemfontein.

Address: 6 Van Vuuren Avenue Off Union Ave Bloemfontein 9301

Phone: +27 51 401 9751

Opening hours: unknown

Rating: 4.0/5.0, 49 Tripadvisor reviews

Website: https://www.ufs.ac.za/planetarium