Take a fascinating journey around the asteroids, comets, meteorites and planets that are present in the universe at the Planetarium (Planetário Municipal de Campinas). Handle stargazing instruments and get an insight into celestial phenomena. The Planetarium is one of several noteworthy attractions located in a huge urban space called Portugal Park.
The fun starts as soon as you set foot inside the building. Find displays of telescopes of different shapes and sizes and see various styles of globes. On the walls are illustrative explanations of natural occurrences such as the lunar eclipse. The information is in Portuguese so you might want to brush up before arriving or bring a language dictionary with you.
A major highlight is the chance to watch cinematic projections on a 20-foot (6-meter) diameter dome screen. Marvel as the night sky comes into vision with the planets of the solar system, thousands of stars and spectacular constellations. You can also experience the simulation of space travel.
Working in conjunction with the Planetarium is the nearby Dynamic Science Museum (Museu Dinâmico de Ciências de Campinas). An example of its exhibitions is Energia que Move, which examined the theory of moving energy with hands-on activities. Another, Jogos de Luz, showcased optical illusions via lights, virtual imagery and concave and convex mirrors.
Public buses travel from downtown Campinas to Portugal Park, from where you can walk to the planetarium and museum. There’s a large car park at the western and northern entrance to the park. Plan to spend an entire day at the park and visit its other attractions. Cruise across Taquaral Lake on a rented paddleboat, stroll around the lake’s shoreline pathway and enjoy a scenic ride on a tram.
The Planetarium is open from Sunday to Friday. Public cinema projections take place on Sunday and there’s an admission fee. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes prior to the start of the event and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The Dynamic Museum of Science is open every day and admission is free.
