Jeddah: Scientific and astronomical communities worldwide are commemorating the 101st anniversary of the inauguration of the first modern planetarium, which opened at the Deutsches Museum in Germany on May 7, 1925, marking a turning point in the teaching and dissemination of astronomy. President of the Jeddah Astronomy Society Majed Abu Zahra noted that a planetarium is a hemispherical facility equipped with a projection system that simulates the night sky, providing an interactive educational experience that makes viewers feel as though they are observing the actual sky.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Abu Zahra explained that the concept emerged in the early 20th century through collaboration between German engineer Oskar von Miller and the Carl Zeiss company, which developed the first integrated optomechanical celestial projector-representing a significant leap in astronomical education. Today, thousands of planetariums serve as scientific and cultural centers, combining education with public engagement as the institutions enter their second century.