ESA’s Earth from Space exhibit lands in Prague

The exhibit not only serves as a new highlight for visiting space fans; it is also a visually rich reminder of the vital role that satellites play in enabling scientific research for a better understanding of our world, as well as providing critical services for people and planet.

Satellite data at your fingertips

At the heart of the exhibition lies an interactive touch table that turns satellite data from ESA’s Earth Explorer missions, meteorological satellites and the Copernicus programme into eye-catching stories depicting topics such as the Air we Breathe, Life on Land, Frozen Landscapes and The Blue Planet.

One of the most striking installations is The Half Globe, a spherical projection of satellite data. With a spin of the controls, visitors to the exhibition can see key datasets about our planet and its climate, including global warming patterns, the level of our seas, land use comparisons, or air-quality data.

On the opposite side of the exhibit, a detailed three-dimensional elevation model of Prague and its surroundings comes alive with dynamic overlays projected from above. Here, visitors can slide through topographic and climate layers, compare regions, or take a closer look through digital magnifying glasses and filters.

The opening of the exhibit also marks a special moment: 17 years since the Czech Republic joined the European Space Agency.

“We are proud to celebrate the 17-year anniversary since the Czech Republic joined ESA, and what better way than with the launch of the Earth from Space exhibit at the Prague Planetarium. The eye-catching interactive visualisations which have been developed are sure to inspire young people and fuel the curiosity of future generations of European scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. This exhibit showcases the best of ESA’s Earth observation missions, allowing visitors to explore local, regional, and global changes monitored from space, and demonstrating how this knowledge can be used to help protect our planet,” said Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation Programmes, ESA.

Connecting people with our planet

This type of visual, hands-on Earth observation storytelling is quickly becoming essential, not just for education, but to build emotional connections to our planet. When people can see Earth changing, they are more likely to care. It turns complex science into engaging stories which can motivate audiences to take action to protect the planet.

The Planetarium in Prague is undergoing a significant renovation programme and has seen an important growth in visits this year attracting more than 250 000 people since June 2025.

“We are delighted that, following the tremendous success of the opening of our new LED Planetarium, we can now offer visitors another unique experience,” said Jakub Rozehnal, Director of Planetum (Observatory and Planetarium Prague). “As an educational institution, we feel a great responsibility to promote science and technology. Earth observation is a fascinating field that demonstrates how modern technologies help us better understand our planet – from climate change to urban development and agriculture. With this exhibition, we want to show that space technologies are not distant or abstract but contribute every day to improving life on Earth.”

Don’t miss the exhibition Earth from Space: Powered by ESA at the Planetarium in Prague.