<strong>Norway's otherworldly planetarium: </strong>Design studio Snøhetta's spectacular new planetarium and "constellation" lodges will join the Harestua Solar Observatory -- Norway's largest astronomical facility -- in 2020. <br /><br />
Norway's otherworldly planetarium: Design studio Snøhetta's spectacular new planetarium and "constellation" lodges will join the Harestua Solar Observatory -- Norway's largest astronomical facility -- in 2020.

Snøhetta/Plompmozes
<strong>Solar sightings:</strong> Home to the largest solar observatory north of the Alps, Harestua Solar Observatory is already on the map for serious astronomy enthusiasts. The facility was founded in the 1950s by the University of Oslo and remains an active research center.
Solar sightings: Home to the largest solar observatory north of the Alps, Harestua Solar Observatory is already on the map for serious astronomy enthusiasts. The facility was founded in the 1950s by the University of Oslo and remains an active research center.
Snøhetta/Plompmozes
<strong>A prestigious observatory: </strong>The center has been credited with several techniques and discoveries over the years, including the spectrograph -- used for observing and analyzing the sun -- and the discovery of solar storms.
A prestigious observatory: The center has been credited with several techniques and discoveries over the years, including the spectrograph -- used for observing and analyzing the sun -- and the discovery of solar storms.
Snøhetta/Plompmozes
<strong>Immersive experiences:</strong> Visitors can experiment with the institute's instruments, including an enormous telescope that stretches 65 feet in diameter.
Immersive experiences: Visitors can experiment with the institute's instruments, including an enormous telescope that stretches 65 feet in diameter.
Bjørn Berge/Solobservatoriet
<strong>New additions:</strong> With Snøhetta's new additions, the astronomy center will be even more accessible to travelers, thanks to an innovative planetarium and overnight accommodations.<br />
New additions: With Snøhetta's new additions, the astronomy center will be even more accessible to travelers, thanks to an innovative planetarium and overnight accommodations.
Snøhetta/Plompmozes
<strong>Celestial conception: </strong>Snøhetta's overarching design concept borrows from various principles of astronomy. As a result, the aerial view resembles a solar system, with the planetarium at the center.
Celestial conception: Snøhetta's overarching design concept borrows from various principles of astronomy. As a result, the aerial view resembles a solar system, with the planetarium at the center.
Snøhetta/Plompmozes
<strong>Galactic inspiration:</strong> "We have this endless bag of natural phenomenon to collect inspiration from," Rikard Jaucis, a Snøhetta architect, tells CNN Travel. "The planetarium's dome, for example, will be engraved with constellations. It looks a bit extraterrestrial, as if it belongs somewhere else. At the same time, it's wrapped around with the landscape and rooted in the earth."
Galactic inspiration: "We have this endless bag of natural phenomenon to collect inspiration from," Rikard Jaucis, a Snøhetta architect, tells CNN Travel. "The planetarium's dome, for example, will be engraved with constellations. It looks a bit extraterrestrial, as if it belongs somewhere else. At the same time, it's wrapped around with the landscape and rooted in the earth."
Jon A Gjærum/Solobservatoriet
<strong>Constellation cabins:</strong> For overnight guests, Snøhetta has designed seven cabins which seem to orbit around the planetarium. Accommodating anywhere from two to 35 people, each pod will have a distinct personality -- one might be made of glass, another of wood. "How we place the windows will be super-important, because every cabin should have a clear, unobstructed view of the sky," says Jaucis.
Constellation cabins: For overnight guests, Snøhetta has designed seven cabins which seem to orbit around the planetarium. Accommodating anywhere from two to 35 people, each pod will have a distinct personality -- one might be made of glass, another of wood. "How we place the windows will be super-important, because every cabin should have a clear, unobstructed view of the sky," says Jaucis.
Snøhetta/Plompmozes
<strong>When to visit: </strong>While winter offers the darkest nights for star-gazing, it's not the only viable season to visit. "You have big variations in Norway from summer to winter," says Rekaa. "(In summer), we spend more time focusing on the sun -- it's a solar observatory and we use the telescopes to observe sunspots and solar storms."
When to visit: While winter offers the darkest nights for star-gazing, it's not the only viable season to visit. "You have big variations in Norway from summer to winter," says Rekaa. "(In summer), we spend more time focusing on the sun -- it's a solar observatory and we use the telescopes to observe sunspots and solar storms."
Hans K Aspenberg
<strong>Shoulder season: </strong>Although you're less likely to catch the Northern Lights on the shoulder seasons, Rekaa says the climate is much more comfortable. "Autumn is not too cold, yet it's still quite dark," says Rekaa. "You have all the different stars coming up and you have different constellations, galaxies, and star clusters visible in the autumn versus the springtime ... It doesn't matter when you visit, there's always something to see."
Shoulder season: Although you're less likely to catch the Northern Lights on the shoulder seasons, Rekaa says the climate is much more comfortable. "Autumn is not too cold, yet it's still quite dark," says Rekaa. "You have all the different stars coming up and you have different constellations, galaxies, and star clusters visible in the autumn versus the springtime ... It doesn't matter when you visit, there's always something to see."
Snøhetta/Plompmozes