Wits Anglo American Digital Dome will offer breathtaking full 8k imagery
Before the newly refurbished and improved planetarium is opened to the public in February, select guests were invited to experience some of what the new facility can offer, and were blown away by what they saw.
The much loved old Johannesburg Planetarium has been transformed into a state of the art facility thanks to a R90m investment from Anglo Gold and Wits University which began in 2022.
“First opened in 1960, the new 360° dome gives an immersive experience for visitors of all ages, with a variety of shows for young and old,’ said Shirona Patel, Wits communication manager.
Read more: Wits Flower Hall;s sustainable revival
Not only is the dome able to show films in unmatched quality about the start of the universe, which many know the venue for, it can also be used for astrophysics, the digital arts, artificial medicine, microbiology, and precision medicine.
Shows are watched while sitting in reclining armchairs, to make seeing the entire dome more comfortable, as you are immersed in the visuals that fill your field of vision. Visitors can travel to the other side of the milky way to learn about the universe we live in, or travel into any environment or place the chosen film takes you, with an unparalleled experience of being transported away from reality and into another space.
The single Zeiss projector has been removed and 10 new digital projectors are now used to give full 8k imagery.
Duncan Wanblad, chief executive of Anglo American, says: “At Anglo American, we see investment in tertiary education as vital for advancing knowledge, driving innovation, and boosting economic growth. Universities are hubs of research and development, producing skilled professionals who tackle global challenges and push technological and scientific boundaries. Infrastructure, like the digital dome, enable this progress, providing students with specialised skills, enhancing job prospects and earning potential while contributing to broader societal and economic transformation.”
Also read: Wits and Netflix collaborate to support next generation of filmmakers
Everyone involved agreed that the iconic green roof of the dome would remain untouched as it has become an iconic landmark seen when travelling on the M1 highway.
When the dome opens to the public next February, Wits and Anglo American will enable learners from selected quintile 1–3 schools to have access to the facility.
Timeline of the Digital Domes history
• 1960: The Johannesburg Planetarium opens.
• 1969: First venue in South Africa to screen footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
• 1974: Introduces the annual ‘Star of Bethlehem’ show.
• 1985: Implements computer-aided shows.
• 1990: Introduces laser shows.
• 2000: Millennium celebrations.
• 2005: Major technology upgrade.
• 2009: 50th anniversary celebrations.
• 2020: 60th anniversary (modified celebrations due to global pandemic).
• 2022: Johannesburg Planetarium reimagined as the new Wits Anglo American Digital Dome.
• 2024: The Wits Anglo American Digital Dome undergoes testing and enters its pilot phase.
• 2025: The Wits Anglo American Digital Dome is expected to open to the public in February.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: Wits aids in saving the rhinos
