Facilities
Main Gallery – A Journey Through the Cosmos
The Main Gallery of Balai Cerap Negeri Sembilan offers visitors an immersive and educational experience through the wonders of astronomy and space science. Designed to captivate visitors of all ages, the gallery showcases a rich blend of historical, scientific and interactive exhibits.
Begin your journey with a walk through the history of the observatory, detailing its establishment and contributions to astronomy in Malaysia. Explore the fascinating world of meteorites, featuring real specimens and informative displays explaining their origin, types, and impact on Earth.
The gallery also presents comprehensive exhibits on the Solar System, with engaging visuals and interactive panels that explain the characteristics of planets, moons and other celestial bodies. Visitors can learn about the first astronaut of Malaysia and space telescopes.
Theater Room – Bridging Knowledge and the Skies
The Theater Room at Balai Cerap Negeri Sembilan serves as a compact yet impactful space for immersive learning and presentations. Designed to accommodate up to 25 visitors at a time, this room is ideal for group briefings, educational talks, or small-scale workshops.
One of its key highlights is the historical infographics on Islamic scholars who played a pioneering role in the development of falak (Islamic astronomy) and astronomical sciences. Enhancing the experience, the theater features an interactive sky map projection, allowing audiences to learn more about constellations and night sky objects.
Hilal Observation Room – Following the Crescent, Journeying Through Knowledge
The Hilal Observation Room at Balai Cerap Negeri Sembilan is a dedicated space designed to deepen public understanding of the Moon and its significance in Islamic astronomy. The room features a collection of informative infographics that explain the concept of the crescent moon (hilal), the criteria of hilal observation, as well as detailed visuals on solar and lunar eclipses.
A key feature of this room is the hilal observation deck, which serves as a practical platform during actual hilal sightings, especially for the determination of Hijri months such as Ramadan and Syawal. The deck is equipped with a set of Al-Biruni telescopes, named after the great Muslim astronomer, to support precise and effective moon observation. The room also offers a relaxing discussion area – a space for reflection, learning, and dialogue among visitors after observation sessions.
Solar Dome – A Gateway to the Sun
The Solar Dome at Balai Cerap Negeri Sembilan is a dedicated facility for conducting both daytime and nighttime astronomical activities. Specially equipped for solar observation, this dome houses telescopes designed to safely view and record detailed images of the Sun, including features such as sunspots, prominences, and solar flares. Observation activities are subject to weather conditions, as clear skies are essential for safe and effective solar viewing. For safety and technical reasons, the dome may be closed during drizzles or rain.
Observation Deck – Discover the Sky and Sea
The Observation Deck of Balai Cerap Negeri Sembilan is an indoor viewing room located on the fifth floor of the observatory building. This enclosed space offers visitors a comfortable and informative environment to explore the wonders of astronomy. Equipped with interactive displays, the deck provides engaging information about celestial objects and history of astronomy. During the day, visitors can enjoy scenic views of the Straits of Malacca through large viewing windows.
Main Dome – The Heart of the Observatory
The Main Dome of Balai Cerap Negeri Sembilan, housing the largest telescope in Malaysia. Featuring a 24-inch (61 cm) lens diameter imported from the United States of America, this powerful instrument allows detailed observation of the Moon and planets. The dome is also equipped with an LED screen, making it an ideal venue for short sharing sessions.