The integral role of planetariums in engaging the public on issues in astronomy is addressed in On the role of planetariums by Anthony P. Fairall from Cape Town, South Africa.

Probably in excess of 100 million persons, mainly youngsters, pass through the world's planetariums each year, by far the largest, and arguably the most influential, conveyance of astronomy to the general public. However, while some planetariums have close ties to the research world, and even to IAU Commission 46, they are by far the exception and not the rule. In general, the planetarium community operates independently of the stakeholders represented at this conference.

While much of planetarium activity shares a common mission with the IAU Commission on Astronomy Education and Development, there are significant deviations: since the main market driving the planetarium world is clearly throughput, some planetariums emphasize entertainment and novelty more than the teaching of astronomy. There is also an unfortunate tendency in smaller planetariums, where lecturers are weak on science, to overemphasize star lore and constellations. In the author's opinion, the gap between the teaching of astronomy, as seen from the research world of the IAU, and teaching of astronomy, as seen from the planetarium world, badly needs closing.