Space, or the Universe. Mysterious, unfathomable, yet at the same time full of such astonishing discoveries.
Most of us know the most important facts, for example, that space was created as a result of the Big Bang many millions of years ago and that Earth is the only planet on which life is currently possible. Space is explored by both unmanned spacecraft and astronauts who embark on important missions – such as Artemis II, during which four astronauts travelled around the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft this year and then returned to Earth.
Most people will probably not travel to the Moon or Mars during their lifetime. However, today anyone who is interested has various opportunities to learn and see much more than was possible hundreds or even tens of years ago. We have prepared a list of places here in Latvia that you can visit alone, with your family or with friends to enrich your knowledge and experience of everything related to space.
The Space Education Centre is an educational destination for families, school groups and teachers. At the centre, visitors can explore an interactive exhibition dedicated to the development of space exploration, living beyond Earth, astronauts’ physical and mental health, and other topics.
Each topic gives both adults and children an opportunity to explore natural sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics through the theme of space in an educational way.
Address: 63 Cīrulīšu Street, Cēsis, Cēsis Municipality
Ventspils House of Creativity with a planetarium and observatory. Ventspils House of Creativity offers visitors the opportunity to visit Latvia’s most modern and largest digital planetarium, as well as an observatory equipped with a modern telescope. The planetarium dome is 8 metres in diameter and has seating for 40 visitors. It offers 360-degree shows for visitors of all ages. One planetarium session lasts 35–45 minutes.
Address: 11 Maiznieku Street, Ventspils
The University of Latvia Museum’s Astronomical Tower, which was specially designed for the building at 19 Raiņa Boulevard, has served astronomy for more than 150 years. In the 19th century, the tower’s telescope was used for scientific observations, in the first half of the 20th century students carried out practical work in the tower, while since 1986 the Astronomical Tower has operated as a public observatory. The observation season at the University of Latvia Astronomical Tower begins in October and ends at the end of March. Through the telescope, visitors can observe the Moon, various stars such as Sirius, double stars, planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. The appearance of a bright comet is also not ruled out.
The same building also houses the University of Latvia Museum’s Friedrich Zander and Latvian Astronomy Collection. There, visitors can learn about the history of astronomy and space exploration in Latvia, astronomical instruments, star charts and meteorites.
Address: 19 Raiņa Boulevard, Riga
StarSpace Observatory. During an approximately two-hour visit, it is possible to listen to an engaging lecture about stars, planets, “aliens”, animals in space and many, many other topics explained in simple language. After the lecture, visitors can go outside into the fresh air and learn about some of the constellations visible at the time – how to find them, what they look like and, possibly, hear a legend about these constellations as well. Once the constellations have been explored, stargazing can continue in the observatory, where visitors can personally view the objects visible that evening through one of the most powerful publicly accessible telescopes. Tours must be booked in advance by calling +371 29130472 or writing to info@starspace.lv.
Address: Kaltiņi (StarSpace Observatory), Suntaži Parish, Ogre Municipality
Meteorite Museum. A specialised museum dedicated to meteorites, their origin and the Solar System. The museum displays genuine specimens of cosmic origin. Visits to the museum are available by prior appointment only. Contact phone: 25453600; email address: info@meteoriti.lv
Address: 3a Nīcgales Street, Riga
The Irbene complex of the “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre” is a place where visitors can travel back sixty years into the past – to the Soviet era – when one of the most secret military bases in the Baltics was built here. The complex’s parabolic antenna was used for espionage and for intercepting other communications from artificial Earth satellites. Visitors can see both the historic colonel’s office and the old equipment.
Currently, the strategic goal of VIRAC is to become a global provider of research services in the fields of astronomy and space technologies, to establish an internationally competitive, balanced and sustainable research team, as well as an internationally competitive and sought-after scientific infrastructure research complex. The Irbene radio telescope is equipped with two fully steerable parabolic antennas, “RT-32” and “RT-16”, which visitors can walk past during the tour.
To book a tour, send an email to: infovirac@venta.lv or call 29230818 (weekdays only).
Address: Irbene, Ance Parish, Ventspils Municipality
And that is not all – VIZIUM in Ventspils is a general science centre rather than a permanent space centre, but it also regularly hosts space-related activities and events.
We wish you exciting adventures and discoveries while searching for space in Latvia!
