Last weekend I attended a software testing conference in Minsk. It was possible to make the schedule in such a way that before the conference it was possible to give a lecture in the planetarium, and after it was closed - to visit the observatory and look into the pavilion "Cosmos" of the Minsk Museum of Aviation Equipment. Under the cut photos and some text.
Observatory of Minsk PlanetariumPlanetarium and Observatory
The Minsk Planetarium was built according to the typical Soviet project, in my native Ufa is the same building, except that the dome of the auditorium is slightly smaller.
View from the observatoryThe hall looks ascetic, we have benches here and we can study the stands with photos or watch a popular science program while waiting for a session.
Main hallThe projection apparatus (it would be more correct to call it a planetarium, but in everyday language this word was already attached to the building), despite its old age, it has the main advantage - it is used, and regularly. Now planetariums are under pressure from new technologies - full-domed films are brighter and more varied than what the projection apparatus can demonstrate, and the latter often turns into scenery. And maintaining the apparatus in working condition suggests that enthusiasts work in the planetarium. This assumption was confirmed by the fact that the classic “walk in the starry sky”, which was conducted after the lecture, in my personal list took a solid first place in the category of sincerity.
The observatory has a Carl Zeiss refractor aperture of 130 millimeters - a very serious technique.
According to the site, observations are conducted regularly and are available free of charge. This is very good, because even the banal and familiar Moon through a telescope becomes completely different and attractive in a new way.
Pavilion "Cosmos" in the museum of aviation equipment
Judging by the information on the Internet, there are only three Belarusian space expositions:
the Cosmonautics Museum in Tomashovka in the homeland of cosmonaut Peter Klimuk, the Cosmos pavilion at the
Museum of Aviation Equipment in Minsk and now the
temporary exhibition “Man. Space. Belarus " at the Museum of Modern Belarusian Statehood. I had the opportunity to visit the pavilion "Cosmos". It is very small, but built on the original design of the geodesic dome.
Three cosmonauts - Peter Klimuk, Vladimir Kovalenok and Oleg Novitsky have Belarusian origin, and many exhibits tell about them.
On the other hand, the descent vehicle of the Soyuz spacecraft, costumes and a door from a hotel in Baikonur, on which the cosmonauts were painted before the start.
Inside the ship you can look, there are sitting mannequins in imitations of space suits "Falcon".
Commemorative medals, books and models of rockets and satellites.
And at the entrance to the museum are three trees planted by astronauts.
Aviation exposition is also very interesting, especially since some cockpits are open, and you can look into them. The museum was created on the basis of the Central Aeroclub DOSAAF, this is reminded not only of the inscription on the Mi-1 helicopter at the entrance, but also the fact that there are many educational modifications of the machines on display.
View of the exposition from the stairs standing at the Su-27 fighter.
Right to left - Mi-2, Mi-24, Mi-8.
Mi-24 on the other hand.
Cabin.
Right to left is the training L-29, MiG-15 fighter in the UTI training double version, MiG-17, MiG-19.
Left Su-27, right MiG-29. Smoke in the left corner from the working wind tunnel.
From left to right, the Mi-29 fighter, the MiG-27 strike aircraft, the MiG-23 and MiG-21 fighters.
A unique device - Narushevich's collar, was flying quite successfully on tests.
Cab An-2.
Echo of war: fragments of IL-2 and Pe-2.
From left to right: Yak-28 bomber, Yak-25 interceptor.
From left to right: Su-7 interceptor, Su-17, Su-24 bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft.
The heaviest commercially produced helicopter is the Mi-26.
Training Yak-18 (left), Yak-52.
Training double version of the MiG-25PU interceptor.
Several household sketches of the city under the spoilerIn general, I liked Minsk peace, quiet, free planning, a small amount of advertising on the streets.
Someone will say "reserve scoop", but I personally like it. And there is no advertising garbage.
Nice design.
Signs clearly preserved from the 80s. Now look like a nice vintage.
During the Great Patriotic War, the city was occupied from June 28, 1941 to July 3, 1944. During this time, 70 thousand Minsk dying.
View of the city from the Ferris wheel.
Looks like a TV tower, but according to local, not used.
