The Adler ‘Scope

Who’s that guy sitting on a pedestal greeting you as you walk up to the Adler Planetarium? It’s one the most prominent astronomers in the history of modern science, Nicolaus Copernicus! In honor of his 545th birthday, let’s dive into the history behind this statue & this astronomer’s legacy. When you approach the Adler Planetarium […]

Greetings! My name is Bianca and I work in marketing at the Adler Planetarium. I started here about three months ago in November 2018. Things you need to know about me: 1. I’m a Sci-Fi nerd2. And I think space is FREAKING awesome With that, I present to you my new monthly blog series “AstroFan”—I mean, how could I work in a SPACE […]

On Wednesday, February 13, 2019, NASA officially announced the “death” of Opportunity (2003-2018), a rover sent to Mars by NASA in 2003 for a 90-day mission that turned into a staggering fifteen years. Opportunity landed on Mars on January 25, 2004, three weeks after its companion rover, Spirit, touched down on the other side of […]

Author: Carlyn Hill (Former Content Strategist)   The greatest love story on Earth didn’t take place on Earth at all—it happened 238,900 away from Earth on our celestial neighbor! In honor of Valentine’s Day, read about the grand romantic gesture Captain James A. Lovell Jr. made while orbiting the Moon on Apollo 8. “You want […]

“Chicago’s Black Women in STEAM” is a new series on The Adler ’Scope that highlights the awesome women of Chicago who are doing amazing things in science, technology, engineering, art, and math fields here in our own community. Meet women of varying ages, backgrounds, and interests and learn their unique stories. Katrina MillerUniversity of Chicago, […]

Header Image: A tour group going up into the Atwood Sphere at the 2019 Adler After Dark: A Night in the Afrofuture event. Update: This blog was revised in February 2024 to include information about Niyah and the Multiverse. What’s Afrofuturism? Great question! We asked leading Afrofuturism expert, Ytasha Womack, to fill us in! Womack […]

The Adler Planetarium was established in Chicago in 1930. That means that we have 89 years worth of collections objects that have made their way into our midst. From astrolabes to works on paper, these objects are wrapped in inspiring stories, mysterious histories, and have fascinating origins. In the summer of 2018, the Adler Planetarium […]

Editor’s Note: Updated in May 2023 to reflect more current and updated information. Jasmine Porter Former Guest Services Representative What do you enjoy the most about working at the Adler? My coworkers, for sure. They’re all so witty and fun to be around, and bursting with talent! I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a […]

“Chicago’s Black Women in STEAM” is a new series on The Adler ’Scope that highlights the awesome women of Chicago who are doing amazing things in science, technology, engineering, art, and math fields here in our own community. Meet women of varying ages, backgrounds, and interests and learn their unique stories. Ashley L. Walker Chicago […]

The closest “Supermoon,” of the year and glimpses of all the naked-eye-visible planets can be expected during February 2019. About an hour after sunset, the planet Mars is about halfway up in the sky, between the zenith and the southwest horizon. It’s not as bright as some of the wintertime evening stars to its east, […]