Planetarium of Santiago, Santiago

The Chile Planetarium, also known as the Planetarium of the University of Santiago de Chile, is situated within the university campus in the Estación Central commune of Santiago. Since its establishment in the 1980s, it has become a prominent tourist attraction in Santiago and stands among the top 50 globally renowned audiovisual centers for disseminating astronomical knowledge. Boasting a remarkable 20-meter-diameter dome, it ranks among the largest planetariums worldwide.

In the late 1960s, President Eduardo Frei Montalva received a generous donation from Germany—a Carl Zeiss model VI star projector. It was later transferred to the University of Santiago de Chile in the mid-1970s. The Chile Planetarium building was constructed in 1982-1984, designed by architect Óscar MacClure Álamo. It officially opened on March 14, 1985. Covering 4,350 square meters, the dome design is believed to be inspired by the Mayan pyramid at Chichén Itzá. In 1997, the dome underwent renovation, thanks to Codelco's support, which covered it with electro-deposited copper.

In the Planetarium dome, the Zeiss Planetarium with the original Carl Zeiss VI stellar projector from Germany in the 1970s still operates. This remarkable 2,500-kilo projector has 160 lenses and faithfully displays over 5,000 stars and constellations from both hemispheres. It was the world's only planetarium with a multilevel hydraulic platform, showcasing its innovative design.

In 2013, Planetarium Chile upgraded with Latin America's most advanced full-dome projection system, blending digital and analog star simulation for an enhanced visitor experience.