IPS ricorda che nell'ultimo secolo un miliardo di persone hanno visitato 3.000 planetari in oltre 100 nazioni. La dichiarazione chiarisce poi il ruolo di queste macchine nell'attuale periodo di scarsa qualità dell'istruzione scientifica:
In a time when quality science education is more important than ever, a scientifically literate public is an essential part of the progress of any country. Planetariums around the world both inspire and educate people of all ages about our surroundings-the Earth itself and our place in the Universe-and they are often a place in which young people become enthused to follow a scientific career. Many of today's leading scientists chose their careers because they were captivated by the experience of a planetarium visit.
This dissemination of knowledge distinguishes our time from the Middle Ages, when knowledge was restricted to an elite few.