The incredible power of the microcosm in the ocean: The German Ocean Foundation at the ‘Invisible Worlds: From the Microcosm to the Universe’ themed days at the Zeiss Großplanetarium in Berlin

From 16 to 18 April 2026, as part of the ‘Invisible Worlds’ theme days at the Zeiss Großplanetarium, we turned our attention to the microcosm of the ocean. The event was dedicated to the fascinating world of microscopy – an invention that has revolutionised our view of nature.

In the foyer, the German Ocean Foundation offered fascinating insights into microscopy, emphasising the importance of plankton. Visitors were able to analyse water samples from the Baltic Sea and the River Spree themselves, thereby discovering the essential role of plankton as the basis of marine food chains and as a vital CO₂ sink.

The topic of microplastics was also in the spotlight: where do we encounter them, and what impact do they have on the environment and society? In keeping with this, the German Ocean Foundation presented a project from the Research at sea competition, in which a team of pupils investigated microplastics in the River Elbe.

The highlight of the event was the Parliamentary Ocean Evening on 16 April. During this event, we presented impressive plankton images as a full-dome projection in the planetarium’s dome and discussed the mid-term review of the UN Decade of the Ocean with renowned representatives from politics, science and business.