This weekend marks the opening of the new Dorrance Dome at the Arizona Science Center, replacing the old planetarium.
The redesigned dome screen totally surrounding the 200-seat theater is made of more than 40 million LEDs. Daily showings are open to members starting Friday and open to the general public starting Saturday.
The revamped theater bears resemblance to the Las Vegas Sphere, but on a smaller scale.
The technology allows for broader programming than just space shows. There are programs that show what it’s like to be in nature as well as art-focused shows, like one featuring the music of Taylor Swift.
Kirk Johnson is Chief Operations Officer at COSM, the company that makes the technology used in the dome.
“I think there’s a lot of experiences we can give to people that we like to call it democratizing access to things where people can go places and experience these things. where they may not be able to travel, may not have the means to travel,” Johnson said.
The Science Center will be renovating more of its exhibits in the coming years.
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The Mayor of Willcox in Southern Arizona is optimistic that Chiricahua National Monument will soon be the country’s 64th National Park. -
Long before the National Science Foundation ever looked up to the starry sky searching for answers about the mysterious cosmos and universe, O’odhams like Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan stood atop I’oligam Du’ag — or Manzanita Shrub Mountain. -
Trucks began delivering about 200,000 gallons of water each day to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. The deliveries come more than a month after the devastating floods that damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon to the rest of the park. -
Last summer, the Grand Canyon’s North Rim suffered catastrophic damage from the Dragon Bravo Fire. Now, park officials are seeking public input on their long-term recovery plans for the area. -
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a measure out of its upper chamber that would transform the Chiricahua National Monument into the Grand Canyon State’s newest national park.
