Planetarium Cusco Review: Telescopes and Stargazing Tips

Visiting Cusco often means hiking Machu Picchu and checking out ancient ruins, alright, but did you realize that there’s something above, way above, that is equally captivating? So, too it’s the Planetarium Cusco, and I am gonna offer you a deep inspection of what this cosmic location has to offer. Just a little past the storied sites, Planetarium Cusco gives an experience that combines Inca astronomy with modern science. A bit about it, if you are thinking of a stop to Planetarium Cusco for some stargazing, it seems to me this review will prepare you just perfectly for a great visit.

Reaching the Stars: How to Get to Planetarium Cusco

It is worth mentioning that Planetarium Cusco isn’t exactly smack-dab in Cusco’s city center; so it seems you’ll need a little strategizing to get there. So, I think, figuring out the transportation is actually your first tiny step towards celestial explorations, that’s pretty much important for me. You can grab a taxi from the Plaza de Armas. If you are on your own, it’s almost best to pre-arrange transportation. Planetarium Cusco usually offers a pickup service from your hotel, and this seems pretty stress-free, especially after those long days exploring Inca ruins. Also, to boot, consider checking with the planetarium for updated schedules plus shuttle availability, is that a great idea for you?

An Inca Astronomy Lesson Inside

When you show up, you aren’t just hopping straight to some telescope. So it’s really first, you go inside to take in an appealing talk explaining the Inca’s relationship to astronomy. Just a little, the guides cover so much about how Incas looked to the stars, pretty much weaving their stories, architecture plus agricultural practices into their stellar observations. Basically, I really became more appreciative realizing that Incas didn’t just use stars to tell time and seasons, I am talking that they incorporated this with daily existence. Like, if you are into a little storytelling and history mixed along with your star gazing, so this part could well be something special.

Stargazing Through Telescopes: Viewing Deep Sky Objects

And now it’s time to look upwards. Right after the talk, usually, everybody walks outside to some area by the planetarium which has a few telescopes ready, is that a good thing for you or not? The guides point telescopes toward some faraway stars plus planets that you mightn’t ever have an opportunity to view with your eyes alone due to all of the light back in cities. Often the stargazing session lasts a good amount of time, and that gives all enough chances to look and ask things as the guides explain what exactly is in each eyepiece. You get that there is something quite amazing about seeing the rings on Saturn with your own eyes, that, and being able to catch a far away nebula.

What If It’s Cloudy?: The Planetarium Experience Regardless

Yeah, sometimes Cusco is not exactly blue skies everywhere. Usually when clouds appear, the planetarium alters what exactly is happening to make sure people still enjoy themselves, as I was saying. Basically, rather than a live viewing session with telescopes, you might get like a detailed presentation in their dome. Usually the show is like an amazing experience simulating a starry sky which also helps highlight a number of the constellations, nebulae, plus planets. Often too it’s more than watching stuff though because it really includes more Inca cosmology along with all the modern astronomy bits. It is pretty clear that the goal continues being all about offering an educational, quite unique view no matter what is in the forecast.

Good Things and Things Needing Improving

A bit about it, a visit is usually about unique ups plus maybe a few small spots which could do with enhancing. Is that so or so not? Let’s begin with what seems truly awesome: The stargazing obviously comes high because guides here appear extremely helpful to those novices plus are good with individuals who find themselves like a astronomy geek. Just a little about it, is the mix involved with Inca history combined with modern astronomy is another genuine bonus as that supplies way more of a cultural experience, in a way, over one just only seeing stars. Yet sometimes it can get extremely cold when nighttime comes, alright, which implies that a few visitors could find this segment kind of a bit off putting unless or until individuals take all necessary steps such as dress warmly. Often, I believe which they could have more languages offered to those non Spanish speaking tourists.

Things to Know Before Visiting: Planning Your Visit

So, a great trip begins well before showing up, and therefore that seems a couple quick tips must assist. Basically ensure booking online well beforehand as the planetarium has tiny groups with trips filling out very rapidly, basically. Layers are pretty significant, you know; the Andean evenings might become seriously cool. Also bear in mind they’re in an increased altitude area, consider taking it easier when you’re not adjusted to this type of spot. Usually the tour lasts almost a couple hours making it ideal to allow adequately whenever planning those activities of yours when on vacation. Actually it feels great taking off for such celestial seeing while familiar about what you anticipate prior to arriving, anyway!