South Africa’s largest planetarium, now renamed the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, is set to reopen in February 2025, unveiling a fully modernized digital dome that promises to captivate audiences with high-definition visuals of the solar system. Located at Wits University in Johannesburg, this upgraded dome will offer an immersive experience powered by ten advanced digital projectors and a surround sound system that brings the cosmos closer than ever before.
On Wednesday, a preview event gave stargazers and tech enthusiasts a taste of the Digital Dome’s capabilities. The planetarium’s head, Moumita Aich, expressed excitement about the dome’s educational potential, especially for young learners. “This is screen time, but in a way that makes learning meaningful. In just 20 or 30 minutes, visitors will come away with so much knowledge,” Aich explained.
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Originally opened in 1960, the planetarium has welcomed tens of thousands of schoolchildren and aspiring astronomers over the decades. The recent renovations are expected to attract even more visitors, enabling them to delve into astronomy and gain a better understanding of the universe. Additionally, the dome will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, who can project their findings on the dome’s 360-degree screen, creating a dynamic platform for scientific exploration and discovery.
The newly upgraded Wits Anglo American Digital Dome not only stands as a beacon of modern science education but also highlights the power of technology in making the wonders of the universe accessible to all.