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Adler Planetarium History: When Was It Built and What's the Sundial Out Front?

September 7, 2026 · 4 min read

The Adler Planetarium sits at the tip of Chicago's Museum Campus, a granite peninsula reaching into Lake Michigan with one of the best skyline views in the city. Opened in 1930, it was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and remains one of the country's premier spots for public astronomy. The twisting bronze sculpture in the plaza out front is a working sundial by Henry Moore. Here's the short history and the answers to the questions people ask most.

When was the Adler Planetarium built?

The Adler Planetarium opened on May 12, 1930, making it the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. It was funded by Max Adler, a Sears, Roebuck and Co. executive who retired to devote himself to the project. The building's twelve-sided, granite-clad design earned it a National Historic Landmark designation.

What neighborhood is the Adler Planetarium in?

The Adler sits on Northerly Island as part of Chicago's Museum Campus, along the lakefront on the Near South Side. It shares the campus with the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium, all within walking distance. The lakefront setting gives visitors a sweeping view of the downtown skyline.

What is the sculpture in front of the Adler Planetarium?

The bronze sculpture in the plaza is Man Enters the Cosmos, created by British artist Henry Moore and installed in 1980. It's a functioning sundial designed to mark the sun's position at Chicago's latitude. The piece is one of the most photographed spots on the Museum Campus.

Next time you're on the Museum Campus, stand by the Henry Moore sundial and look back at the skyline — it's the best free view in the city.

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