Wildrik Botjes Planetarium
Academics / Departments & Programs / Physics & Astronomy / Wildrik Botjes Planetarium
The Botjes planetarium is a fully operational model of the solar system completed in 1868. It is on display in North Hall.
Directions
Enter North Hall through the southeast door. The planetarium is opposite the door.
Additional maps:
- A Grand Rapids, Michigan, map with directions to the Calvin University campus.
- A printer-friendly campus map in PDF format.
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Orbits of the Planets
- See how the planetariuim can predict the motion of the planets.
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Motions of the Sun and Moon
- While the planets model shows the earth orbiting the sun, this model shows the perspective from Earth.
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The Celestial Sphere
- The celestial sphere is a model for the two-dimensional direction to the stars.
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Timekeeping
- The planetarium has kept the time of day and day of the week for 130 years
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Mechanism and Restoration
- Discover what makes the Botjes planetarium tick.
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History of the Botjes Planetarium
- The Botjes Planetarium has traveled across continents and been passed down the generations.
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Another Planetarium
- Wildrik Botjes constructed another planetarium with some modifications to his earlier design.
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About Us
- See how planetariums and models contribute to the scientific mission.
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