Monico, Wisconsin: World's Largest Rolling Mechanical Planetarium

As of mid-October 2024 the planetarium has been closed for the rest of the year (following a family emergency). The contact number has been changed to 715-490-6956, so please call first before making an appointment to visit, out of respect for the owner's situation.

This man made this all by hand, over 10 years, with his own money on a paper mill worker salary. He handpainted the stars and they are exactly oriented to the North Star for the area. He adjusts the planets as they move in the "real" sky. To see something that someone with a high school education and a passion and dream has created is what is awe-inspiring about this planetarium. Not to mention how insignificant seeing ourselves in relation to the universes out there... This is worth the side trip NOW before it becomes too famous!

Frank Kovac spent more than 10 years creating a hand-built planetarium in his back yard in the tiny town of Monico. The planetarium offers 5,000 hand-painted stars, in proper position and brightness, created by Kovac.

His creation is open to the public for a $12 fee. The planetarium itself is located inside a larger building; you may want to inquire at the local gas station for hours of operation and exact location.