🌌Best home planetariums for 2020

To avoid mistakes when choosing a home planetarium, you must immediately decide for what purpose the device is being purchased. This must be done so as not to regret later on the money wasted on a multifunctional device, which is used exclusively for decorating a room from time to time.

As a night light with a nice addition in the form of a detailed map of the night sky, inexpensive compact options are quite suitable. For a child who is fond of studying astronomy, it is better to purchase an option with more accurate projection characteristics and a correction for the time of day and date. For the youngest astronomers, simple budget modifications with a minimum of bells and whistles are suitable, which, as the child grows up, can be replaced with more advanced models for in-depth study of celestial bodies.

Today's rating will help you navigate the variety of models and answer the questions: how to choose a planetarium, what the device looks like, and what to look for when buying.

Budget

You can buy a home planetarium both in the network and in the online store, and in the latter there will be more choice. Popular models of simple planetariums for home can be purchased at prices ranging from 700 to 2,500 rubles, they are usually sold disassembled. Following the instructions, the model is easy to assemble by yourself. The rating of quality planetariums - "semi-finished products", as usual, is opened by inexpensive products.

Planetarium Starry Sky

Prefabricated model made in China. Product material: paper, glass and plastic. There is a certificate for serial production. One of the simplest modifications: even a child can figure out how the device works. The set includes:

• Blanks for domes of the southern and northern hemispheres,
• Light with switch,
• Dome supports (4 pcs.),
• Adhesive tape,
• Detailed description-instructions.

The photo shows that the blanks have the shape of hemispheres, as well as special fasteners at the edges and are easily connected around the stand, additionally fixing with supports. Thus, a stellar dome with illuminated constellations is obtained. Product warranty - 1 year. Powered by 3 supplied batteries. Where to buy: this version of the planetarium is almost impossible to find in chain stores, so online trading platforms are to help the buyer.

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Planetarium night light

Projects colorful images of planets and satellites onto walls or ceilings. The arrangement of the planets changes according to the month of the year. You can switch the month using the adjusting ring on the case. Two modes: night sky with constellations or projection of planets. The modes are adjusted using two buttons on the sides of the case, you can turn on both modes at the same time.

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Eastcolight

The mechanized baby projector is very easy to use. Material - impact resistant plastic. The hemisphere has mounts into which projection films can be easily inserted.The set includes two films: with a map of the night sky and with a map of constellations. A description of the constellations is attached. After fixing the film on the hemisphere, you need to turn on the internal illumination. It is not difficult for a child to change the film on his own and turn on the backlight, the device is safe to use.

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Levenhuk LabZZ

A device for studying constellations on any light or white surface. Equipped with 2 discs-slides and a disc with the CyberSky planetarium program with Windows support. The body can be easily rotated on the stand at any angle, you can also rotate the disc slide. There is also a planisphere - a movable map of the night sky for demonstrating space objects at different times of the day and year. A focusing ring is located around the lens for adjusting clarity. A protective cover is provided for the lens to prevent damage and dust ingress. The design is simple and easy to use, even a child can easily handle it. Age - from 4 years old.

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More technologically advanced and expensive

Further, the review continues with more "advanced" modifications of home astroplanetariums. The popularity of the models provides advanced functionality:

• Education and development;
• Entertainment;
• Create the right atmosphere (romantic or relaxing).

In addition to the standard disks with constellations available for these devices, you can purchase additional ones for a more detailed study of planets and nebulae located both in the solar system and outside it. The cost of one disc ranges from 800 to 2,500 rubles. Any topics: from a constellation map, to romantic views and exploration of the depths of the sea and their inhabitants or ornaments in the form of hearts, flowers, and the like. Such devices are best placed on the floor, since the optimal distance to the projected surface for almost everyone is from 1.5 to 2.5 m.

AstroEye

Home projector from Chinese manufacturer Eastcolight with rotation function, improved lenses and 5 discs included. Two black and white discs allow you to study a map of the night sky with and without constellations, three colored discs - individual objects of the solar system: planets, unknown clusters of stars and nebulae. For black and white discs, there is a Shooting Star function for a more realistic picture of the sky. The function of daily rotation of the stars is provided. The distance of the model from the projected surface should be at least 2 m, if it is less, distortion is possible.

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Edu-toys star

A Japanese home astroplanetarium with high projection performance combined with a low price. The greatest distance to the projection surface is up to 3 m without distortion. The projection diameter is also the largest - up to 3 m. Both parameters are adjustable: the size of the projection can be compressed using the adjusting ring around the lens, the distance to the projection surface can also be shorter without compromising image quality. Includes two standard discs with the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere. The average cost is from 4.000 rubles.

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Buyers Tips: If it is difficult to decide which model is better to choose, you can add them to the basket by parameters. Almost all sites provide the function "Compare" with displaying the characteristics of several selected products at once.

HomeStar Aroma

A compact and stylish device with aromatherapy function can be an original gift. In addition to an accurate map showing 10,000 stars of the solar system, an aroma diffuser is built into the planetarium. It is enough to pour aromatic oil into a special reservoir and turn on the device to enjoy not only the view of the night sky, but also your favorite aroma, recreating the atmosphere of a memorable evening or creating the necessary environment for relaxation or a romantic dinner. With its compact size, it has good technical characteristics: a powerful LED, a distance to the projected surface from 1.5 to 2.3 meters and a clear, bright picture without distortion. The waterproof case allows you to use the device anywhere, even in the bathroom or in the pool, if you suddenly want to swim under the starry sky. Cost - from 4,700 rubles. Powered by batteries.

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HomeStar Resort

The advantage of this modification over counterparts from other manufacturers is in three built-in lenses instead of one traditional one, whose characteristics provide maximum contrast, brightness and picture realism. With the HomeStar Resort, you can see not only the constellations, but also a colorful sunset against the backdrop of the sea and palm trees, as well as such a unique phenomenon as the northern lights against the background of the night sky. Product diameter - 20 cm. Case colors: blue and light green.

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Sititek Media

A great gift for a girl - the body and the stand are made of pink and white shock-resistant plastic. Equipped with speakers, has an audio input for headphones and an mp3 player and a built-in radio receiver. The set includes 2 discs-slides with a celestial map of the Northern Hemisphere, an audio cable and the book "12 Signs of the Zodiac". The projection distance is from 1.8 to 2 m, the diameter is up to 2 m. You can buy it at a price of 7,500 rubles.

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Star Theater Pro

One of the most advanced home planetarium models from Uncle Milton. According to buyers, Americans are the best manufacturers of home planetariums. Their products confidently leave behind competitors' counterparts in all criteria:

• Functionality and quality;
• Modern design;
• Ease of use - mastering the controls will not be difficult even for children;
• Ergonomics and low weight of products.

The updated Auto-Track Star Theater Pro delivers crisp, true-to-life images without distortion, even around the edges. In addition, the projection diameter is over 2m compared to the usual 2m in most analogs. Available in several colors, so it can be a great gift for both boys and girls. The set includes three disks: two represent the celestial dome with and without constellations, the third - the planets of the solar system. You can also purchase additional disks for the study of space objects far from the solar system of galaxies. You can buy such an astroprojector at a price of 9.500 to 10.500 rubles.

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HomeStar

The Japanese manufacturer offers a convenient and compact model of a home planetarium with the function of shooting stars, due to this, the full effect of contemplation of the real starry sky is created. The date / time switch allows you to see the real picture of the night sky, corrected for real time, as the Earth is shifted in relation to the constellations at one time or another of the day or year. The set includes two lenses: with designations and outlines of constellations for the initial stage of training and without designations to test the knowledge gained. You can also purchase additional lenses for detailed study of planets and nebulae. For example, it will be more interesting for a child to see the rotating rings of Saturn in three dimensions, rather than in a picture. A metal stand with clamps allows you to project the image at any convenient angle without distortion, on a wall or ceiling. Astroplanetarium with a futuristic design is similar to a space satellite, and will organically look both in the little explorer's room and in the living room.

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Buyer recommendation: If you spend a little more time, you can find a good model at a price one third below the offered one. To do this, just enter the name of the projector you like and set filtering by price.

Bresser National Geographic

This astroplanetarium with the FM function "knows" how to speak Russian, telling about the constellations and planets. Each software disc contains more than 8,000 stars, including 2 discs. Can be used as a guide for children in the older groups of kindergarten and lower secondary school. You can also choose the music to your liking, thanks to the built-in mp3-player. The German manufacturer gives a five-year product warranty.

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HomeStar R2-D2 EX

An excellent gift for a boy - the astroprojector is made in the form of the robot of the same name R2-D2 from the movie "Star Wars". High-quality optics from several lenses and a powerful diode emitter provide quality, high brightness and image clarity. The "trick" of the device: the projection displays the famous "Death Star" from the same fantasy epic. The droid is equipped with an additional projector, "knows how" to talk, you can tilt it and turn its head. In addition to two standard discs-slides with maps of the starry sky, the set includes discs with characters and ships from "Star Wars". Additional equipment of the advanced version:

• Multicolor diode for projection of color images;
• Audio cord with standard plug.

In the budget version at a price of 8,000 rubles, the droid "does not know how" to turn its head and talk, only two discs with a map of the night sky and a projection of only 10,000 stars are included.

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HomeStar Earth Theater

The Japanese have seriously approached the creation of this modification, equipping it with two projectors: one for displaying celestial objects, the second for showing films. The projectors can work both independently of each other and jointly, creating a real light show. In this case, you can change the angle of the lens and focus. A built-in stereo system with 3W speakers adds to the immersive experience. Includes two space-themed flash cards and one disc-slide with a star map. The device is powered by a network, the cable is included.

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Astronomy is a rather interesting science, but not always, unfortunately, the quality of the presentation of the material makes it possible to interest the student and involve him in the educational process. A home planetarium will brilliantly fill this gap and will create ideal conditions for optical experiments without visiting additional circles and classes. And in their free time from teaching the child, the device will allow parents to have a good time and relax, looking at the twinkling starry sky.