Planetarium Hamburg

What Planetarium Hamburg does

Planetarium Hamburg is a state-owned cultural institution (Landesbetrieb) of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, operating one of Europe's most modern fulldome planetarium theaters within a historic 1916 water tower in Hamburg's Stadtpark. Founded in 1930, the venue serves general public visitors, families, school groups, and music/culture enthusiasts through a diversified program of astronomy shows, children's programming, music and laser events, expert lectures, guided building tours, and rotating astrophotography exhibitions. Pricing ranges from €7.70 reduced children's admission to €29 for premium music events, distributed via the on-site Eventim Inhouse webshop, telephone hotline, and box office.

The facility's core technical asset is its 21-meter Sternenkuppel (star dome), equipped with a Zeiss star projector, five 4K beamers for fulldome projection, eight laser projectors (some mounted on robot arms), 16 moving effect spotlights, and a 3D Spatial Sound system with over 60 speakers. This capital-intensive infrastructure underpins a product portfolio spanning live star shows (Sternenreisen), children's events (Kinderveranstaltungen), music and cultural programming (Musik & Kultur), educational lectures (Vorträge), and ancillary revenue streams including Café Schmidtchen, gift shop vouchers, venue rental for private events, and ticket commissions.

Beyond domestic ticketing, Planetarium Hamburg operates a Distribution department that licenses and sells its fulldome productions to other planetariums globally, exemplified by the internationally awarded "Voyager – Die unendliche Reise 3D" production originally created by Ukrainian studio UmaVision and shown at Planetarium Hamburg in an extended 3D version. Marketing is conducted across owned digital channels (website, newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), quarterly printed program brochures, and media partnerships with Planet Radio, ByteFM, and KAPUT Magazin. Leadership comprises Director Dr. Björn Voss (in role since 2017) and Commercial Managing Director Thorsten Pück.

Name

Planetarium Hamburg

Legal name

Planetarium Hamburg

Website

https://planetarium-hamburg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Planetarium Hamburg is a state-owned cultural institution operating a 21-meter fulldome theater in Hamburg, Germany, offering astronomy shows, music and cultural events, children's programming, and school education programs to the general public, with fulldome productions distributed globally to other planetariums.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Planetarium / Cultural Venue Entertainment

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)

Keywords

• Planetarium shows
• Fulldome theater
• Astronomy education
• Cultural venue
• Immersive experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from admission tickets to shows and events. Tickets are sold through the Planetarium Hamburg Eventim Inhouse webshop, via ticketing hotline, and at the door. Pricing varies by show type: standard shows at €12.30 (reduced €7.70), special music/culture events at €14–29, premium events at up to €25, and children's shows starting at €7.70.
2. Café Schmidtchen: On-site café operation generating food and beverage revenue for visitors before and after shows.
3. Gift Shop / Gutscheinshop: Sale of gift vouchers (Gutscheine) through the online gift shop for ticket purchases as gifts.
4. Venue Rental: The Planetarium dome and facilities are rented out for private events, corporate functions, and special occasions, generating rental income.
5. Educational Programs: Revenue from school group visits, Kindergarten tours, and educational programs targeting children and students, often at reduced admission rates.
6. Exhibition Revenue: Separate exhibition admission fees, such as the Brunos Universum astrophotography exhibition at €2 (reduced €1), or free entry included with event tickets.
7. Distribution of Fulldome Productions: The Planetarium produces and distributes fulldome (360-degree) planetarium shows to other planetariums globally via its Distribution department, licensing revenues from show distribution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Planetarium Hamburg operates a state-owned star theatre in a 1916 former water tower in Hamburg's Stadtpark, hosting fulldome astronomy shows, music and laser events, children's programming, expert lectures, and school programs. The 21-meter Sternenkuppel is equipped with a Zeiss star projector, five 4K beamers, eight laser projectors, and a 60-speaker 3D Spatial Sound system. Tickets are sold primarily through an embedded Eventim webshop, a ticketing hotline, and on-site, with additional revenue from café sales, gift vouchers, venue rental, and international distribution of fulldome productions.

Product overview

Planetarium Hamburg is a state-owned cultural institution (Landesbetrieb) operating a 21-meter fulldome theater in a historic 1916 water tower. The product portfolio consists of live astronomy shows (Sternenreisen) with advanced projection technology including 5 4K beamers and laser systems, children's programming (Kinderveranstaltungen) with animated fulldome content, music and culture events (Musik & Kultur) featuring laser shows and live performances, expert lectures (Vorträge), guided building tours (Hausführung), school educational programs, and a loyalty program (Planetenpass). The venue also houses a café and rotating astro-photography exhibitions. The star dome features 3D Spatial Sound with over 60 speakers and sophisticated laser installations for immersive experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sternenreisen (Star Journeys) Astronomy Shows Fulldome astronomy presentations covering black holes, the Milky Way, planets, constellations, the moon (Apollo missions in 3D), and future-of-the-universe topics. Performed live under the 21-meter dome with Zeiss star projector and 4K beamers, recommended for ages 12+. Sold as individual tickets priced at €12.30 standard / €7.70 reduced.
• Kinderveranstaltungen (Children's Events) Family-friendly fulldome shows and musicals for children featuring animated content, interactive elements, and educational astronomy/nature themes. Titles include Der kleine Tag, Eddie will ins All – Ein Hamster hebt ab, Polaris und das Rätsel der Polarnacht, Sterntaler – Vom Universum belohnt, Das Geheimnis der Papierrakete, Wasser überall – versteckt im Universum, and Kleiner Stern im großen All. Ticket prices from €7.70.
• Musik & Kultur (Music & Culture Events) Live music performances, laser shows, opera, and cultural events under the planetarium dome including Cosmic Opera, Stairway to Heaven – Laser Zeppelin, Queen Heaven, Best of Deep Space Night, ELECTRIC LIGHTS – Women in Electronic Music, VARGO's Sundowner, Kontor Sunset Chill, Tabaluga und die Zeichen der Zeit, and Le Voyage Abstrait. Pricing ranges from €14 to €29 depending on event.
• Vorträge (Astronomy Lectures) Educational astronomy lectures and presentations on topics including neutrino astronomy, Star Trek science, and current astronomical discoveries, presented by scientists and experts. Hosted under the Voss' Kosmos series and other lecture formats at the planetarium.
• Hausführung (Building Tours) 60-minute guided tour of the historic 1916 water tower building, including access to the former water tank that once held three million liters of water and more than 100 years of planetarium history. Priced at €12.30 standard / €7.70 reduced.
• Schulprogramm (School Programs) Dedicated educational programs for schools and kindergarten groups (KiTa) aligned with curriculum, offering astronomy and nature education for various age groups. Special group admission rates apply.
• Ausstellungen (Exhibitions) Rotating astro-photography exhibitions displayed in the gallery area, such as Brunos Universum featuring works by astrophotographer Bruno Mattern. Free with any event ticket, or separate entry for €2 / €1 reduced.
• Fulldome Production Distribution (Licensing) Licensing of fulldome (360-degree) planetarium show productions produced or co-produced by Planetarium Hamburg to other planetariums worldwide through its Distribution department. Examples include Voyager – Die unendliche Reise 3D (originally from UmaVision, Kyiv), which has won international awards at Beijing 2018, USA 2019, and Brno 2019.
• Planetenpass (Planet Pass Loyalty Program) Loyalty multi-visit pass offering repeat visit value and reduced per-show cost incentives for returning visitors of Planetarium Hamburg.
• Café Schmidtchen On-site café operated within the Planetarium Hamburg venue, serving food and beverages to visitors before and after shows.

Quantifiable outcome

• Le Voyage Abstrait achieved over 280 performances and 65,000+ visitors in 25 years, making it one of Hamburg's most successful cultural event series.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaAcoreTechnology or IntegrationCTS Eventim provides the ticketing and booking infrastructure for Planetarium Hamburg's online ticket sales via an embedded Eventim Inhouse webshop. All ticket bookings (including user accounts, payment processing, and order management) are handled through Eventim's platform. Eventim is one of Europe's largest ticketing companies.
• Double Dome FilmscoreTechnology or IntegrationDouble Dome Films is credited as the production company for 'Schwarze Löcher – Mysteriöse Giganten im All' (Black Holes show), a key astronomy production in the Planetarium Hamburg program. The show is presented as a fulldome film.
• UmaVision (Kiew, Ukraine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUkrainian fulldome production studio UmaVision created 'Voyager – Die unendliche Reise 3D', which Planetarium Hamburg presents in Germany in an extended 3D version. The show was initially shown at Planetarium Hamburg in April 2022 as part of a charitable initiative with Hanseatic Help to support Ukraine. Planetarium Hamburg has taken the production to its regular program schedule.
• Bruno MatternminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBruno Mattern is an 81-year-old amateur astrophotographer who has been connected to Planetarium Hamburg since the mid-1980s and was employed as a technician from 2000–2005. His astrophotography exhibition 'Brunos Universum' is hosted at the Planetarium's gallery level. His work is also featured on Planetarium Hamburg's Facebook and Instagram channels.
• DJ Raphaël MarionneaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJ Raphaël Marionneau is the creator of 'Le Voyage Abstrait', a signature electronic music event at Planetarium Hamburg running since June 2001. He developed the show concept, curates guest artists, and performs live. The show is credited with establishing Planetarium Hamburg as a music venue. Marionneau continues to develop new formats (Voyage Cosmique, Classique Cosmique) under the new direction of Dr. Björn Voss.
• Prof. Thomas W. Kraupe (formerly Planetarium Hamburg / Planetarium München)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Thomas W. Kraupe, former director of Planetarium Hamburg and Planetarium München, was involved in creating Le Voyage Abstrait and co-developed the visual production alongside Raphaël Marionneau and Mirko Schinke. He is referenced as a key creative contributor to the show's development.
• ByteFM & KAPUT MagazinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerByteFM (national German online radio and magazine) and KAPUT Magazin are presenting partners for the ELECTRIC LIGHTS – Women in Electronic Music event series. They promote the events and provide media coverage, expanding audience reach to their respective readerships.
• Prof. Dr. Björn Voss (Planetarium Hamburg Director)coreOthersDirector of Planetarium Hamburg since 2017, Dr. Björn Voss co-developed Le Voyage Abstrait with Raphaël Marionneau, created new formats (Voyage Cosmique, Classique Cosmique), hosts astronomy lectures (Voss' Kosmos series), and leads the Distribution department for fulldome productions. He is also the presenter of the live stream of the total solar eclipse from Spain in August 2026.
• Ann-Helena SchlüterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish-German pianist Ann-Helena Schlüter performs in the 'Klaviere unterm Sternenhimmel' (Pianos under the Starry Sky) concert series at Planetarium Hamburg, presenting classical and self-composed piano works under the fulldome visualization.
• Achill Moser & Aaron MoserminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAchill and Aaron Moser are travel photographers and authors who present live travel documentary shows at Planetarium Hamburg, including 'Kanada – Durch Weite und Wildnis' and 'Südafrika – Von Kapstadt ins Abenteuer'. Their 360-degree travel photography and narration create immersive shows at the dome.
• Clemens von RaminminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional narrator and voice actor Clemens von Ramin performs live readings at Planetarium Hamburg, including 'Der kleine Prinz' (The Little Prince) as a musical reading with visualizations under the dome.
• Europäische Kommission (EU Online Dispute Resolution)minorOthersThe European Commission provides an online dispute resolution platform that Planetarium Hamburg references in its legal notice for consumer ticket dispute resolution, as required by EU law.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Deutsches Museum (Munich): Germany's largest science and technology museum includes planetarium programming. Comparable as a public cultural institution with fulldome/astronomy programming, but operates at much broader museum scale rather than as a dedicated planetarium venue.
• Technikmuseum Berlin: Large technology museum in Berlin with a planetarium and fulldome theater. Comparable for fulldome and astronomy programming, but operates within a multi-themed technology museum context.
• La Géode (Paris): Large-format immersive dome cinema at Parc de la Villette in Paris. Comparable as a large-format dome venue offering immersive film and music experiences, though programming is more film-centric and less astronomy-educational than Planetarium Hamburg.

Direct peers

• Zeiss-Großplanetarium Berlin: Berlin's flagship state-owned planetarium and Europe's most modern large-format planetarium. Directly comparable: public German planetarium with Zeiss projection technology, fulldome programming, and music/culture event formats targeting similar consumer and school audiences.
• Planetarium Jena: Public planetarium in Jena operating a Zeiss projector and offering fulldome shows, music events, and educational programming. Comparable as a German-language, publicly-operated planetarium competing for the same school group and family visitor segments.
• Adler Planetarium (Chicago): Leading US public planetarium with fulldome theaters, music/laser shows, school programs, and a global distribution footprint for content. Closest international scale peer in terms of programming diversity and educational mission.
• H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (Vancouver): Public planetarium and space science center operating fulldome programming and live star shows. Comparable as a non-profit public planetarium with school programming and event venue operations.
• Hayden Planetarium (American Museum of Natural History): Iconic NYC planetarium inside a major natural history museum. Comparable for fulldome shows, music event programming, and global brand recognition; sits within a larger museum rather than as a stand-alone venue.

Emerging players

• Royal Observatory Greenwich: UK heritage observatory and astronomy attraction with planetarium-style shows and educational programming. Comparable as a public cultural/astronomy venue, though smaller scale and operates within a broader museum cluster.

Others

• Fulldome Studio (Global Fulldome Producers): Independent fulldome production studios that Planetarium Hamburg's Distribution department competes against and partners with. Comparable as suppliers of premium fulldome content to global planetarium venues — relevant to the distribution business line specifically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PlanetariumHamburg
• Facebookfacebook.com/planetarium
• Instagraminstagram.com/planetariumhamburg
• Xx.com/PlanetariumHH

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planetarium Hamburg