Shanghai Astronomy Museum

​​Architectural Marvel​​
Designed by Xing Tonghe, the museum's structure embodies ancient Chinese cosmology with three symbolic elements:

• ​​Round Skylight​​: Projects sunlight like a sundial, forming perfect circles during solstices
• ​​Inverted Dome​​: 30m-diameter sphere representing Earth (scaled to nearby Dishui Lake as "Sun")
• ​​Spiral Form​​: Main building's curves trace planetary orbits, rising ≤24m to preserve sightlines

​​Core Exhibitions​​

1. ​​"Home" Gallery​​:

   • Features a suspended 3D Earth with real-time weather visuals
   • Displays 70 meteorites including Mars/Vesta samples

2. ​​"Cosmos" Gallery​​:

   • "Time Machine" VR experience simulates 13.8B-year universe history
   • Interactive black hole demonstration using biometric feedback

3. ​​"Odyssey" Gallery​​:

   • Life-size Tianhe space station module replica
   • Chang'e-5 lunar soil (9mg sample) under crystal magnification

​​Cutting-Edge Facilities​​

• ​​Solar Tower​​: Adaptive-optics telescope streams live sunspot imagery
• ​​Dome Theater​​: 8K laser projection with 7.1 surround sound
• ​​Night Observations​​: China's largest public telescope (1m aperture)

​​Visitor Guide (2025)​​

• ​​Hours​​: 9:30-16:00 (last entry 15:00), closed Mon
• ​​Tickets​​: Free (max 8,000/day); reserve via WeChat "上海天文馆"
• ​​Access​​: Metro Line 16 to Dishui Lake Station (90min from downtown)

​​Global Recognition​​

• 2022 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement
• UNESCO tentative listing for innovative science communication

Nearby: Dishui Lake (200m) and Lingang Special Area attractions.