Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology, Space observatory and cultural museum in Kulionys, Lithuania.
The Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology is an observation center that explores connections between human culture and the cosmos through astronomy and traditional knowledge. The facility houses two telescopes for nighttime observation and equipment for studying solar phenomena during daylight hours.
The facility was established in 1990 after astronomers sought a location with less light pollution than Vilnius to continue their observations. This move led to the creation of a new institution combining research with public access to astronomical equipment.
The exhibits reveal how Lithuanian traditions have long woven astronomy into daily life, showing ancient tools and records that connect seasonal cycles to human activities. Visitors see how communities once used celestial patterns to guide farming and festivals.
The center operates continuously throughout the day and night, allowing visitors to observe stars after dark and study solar activity during daylight. Clear skies in the evening are ideal for using the telescopes effectively.
Visitors descend into underground galleries that symbolize the roots of a cosmic world tree before climbing a tower that rises 45 meters above ground. The ascent leads to sweeping views of surrounding lakes and the open sky.
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