Editing Planetarium (section)

==Show content==
[[File:Ncp 2.jpg|thumb|left|Artistic representations of the [[constellation]]s projected during a planetarium show.]]
Worldwide, most planetariums provide shows to the general public. Traditionally, shows for these audiences with themes such as "What's in the sky tonight?", or shows which pick up on topical issues such as a religious festival (often the [[Star of Bethlehem|Christmas star]]) linked to the night sky, have been popular. Live format is preferred by many venues as a live speaker or presenter can answer questions raised by the audience.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

Since the early 1990s, fully featured [[3-D computer graphics|3-D]] digital planetariums have added an extra degree of freedom to a presenter giving a show because they allow simulation of the view from any point in space, not only the Earth-bound view which we are most familiar with. This new [[virtual reality]] capability to travel through the universe provides important [[education]]al benefits because it vividly conveys that space has depth, helping audiences to leave behind the ancient misconception that the stars are stuck on the inside of a giant [[celestial sphere]] and instead to understand the true layout of the [[Solar System]] and beyond. For example, a planetarium can now 'fly' the audience towards one of the familiar constellations such as [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]], revealing that the stars which appear to make up a co-ordinated shape from an Earth-bound viewpoint are at vastly different distances from Earth and so not connected, except in human imagination and [[mythology]]. For especially visual or [[kinesthetic|spatially aware]] people, this experience can be more educationally beneficial than other demonstrations.