The Moon: A Celestial Body and a Place of Longing

In the major special exhibition “The Moon,” natural history and cultural history converge in an immersive, artifact-rich journey through space and time. Spanning over 1,500 m², the exhibition explores the Moon as our closest companion in space: The tour begins on the Moon’s surface and examines the human phenomenon of “Moon travel”—from ancient visions to the legendary Apollo missions. This is followed by an exploration of the Moon’s formation, its shape, its unique characteristics, and its influence on Earth. As visitors journey through cultural history, the Moon reveals itself not only as a timekeeper but also as a giver of life, an avenger, a deity, a home to a wide variety of beings, and an inexhaustible source of inspiration for art, literature, and film. Finally, the focus turns to the future: Who owns the Moon, and what does our future with it look like? The ZEPHYR Photo Gallery explores the intersection of art and science with Michael Najjar’s series “outer space.” The accompanying network “Mondsüchtig an Rhein und Neckar” brings the fascination of the moon to life throughout the entire region. In addition, the Mannheim Planetarium—the world’s first municipal planetarium—is celebrating its 100th anniversary.