The planetarium at Esplora in Kalkara was inaugurated today by President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.

The Planetarium, situated in one of the old Royal Navy hospital buildings, is a colourspace 4K theatre which hosts entertaining and educational shows related to our planet and space, the solar system and the whole universe. It has a diameter of 10.7 metres and a seating capacity of 54.

The entire Esplora project cost €26 million, with the Planetarium alone costing some €3.5 million. The EU funded 85% of the project.

Apart from the audio-visual shows, aimed at audiences aged four and upwards, the buildings hosts 13 interactive exhibitions focusing on the cosmos and life in space.

The planetarium was inaugurated in the presence of Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, the PS for Research and Innovation, Chris Agius, and Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, the Executive Chairperson of the Malta Council for Science and Technology.

Dr Pullicino Orlando said more than 36,000 people have visited Esplora so far.