Jena, July 18, 2026 – A century after its initial opening, the Zeiss-Planetarium Jena celebrates its reopening with a technological revolution. The fundamental modernization transforms the traditional venue into a state-of-the-art immersive experience.
- What: Reopening following a 7.5 million euro renovation
- Highlights: New 4K projection, 1,000-speaker system
- Offerings: Fulldome films, concerts, science shows
- Location: Jena, Ernst-Abbe-Platz
Future technology meets tradition
The centerpiece of the renovation is a high-performance 4K projection system from Zeiss. With over eight million pixels, the system achieves four times the resolution of Full HD, allowing astronomical structures and scientific visualizations to be displayed with unprecedented detail. This is complemented by a completely renewed projection dome, which eliminates the distracting “igloo effect” of previous segments.
Another technical highlight is the immersive sound system featuring more than 1,000 speakers. The technology, known from the “Sphere” in Las Vegas, was adapted by the company Holoplot to the specific geometry of the Jena dome. Sound sources can now be precisely placed in the room, enabling acoustic experiences such as music moving through the space.
Overview of the program
The new infrastructure allows for a significantly broader use of the planetarium beyond classic astronomy shows. Interested visitors can look forward to the following offerings:
- Fulldome films: 360-degree cinema experiences with immersive image and sound quality.
- Concerts: Live acoustic performances that utilize the room as a resonant body.
- Science shows: Complex research content, presented interactively and visually.
- Readings: Atmospheric events under the artificial starry sky.
🏛️ History & Significance
The Zeiss-Planetarium in Jena opened on July 18, 1926, and is considered the oldest large-scale planetarium in the world. As the birthplace of modern planetarium technology, it holds a globally significant position in the dissemination of astronomical knowledge. The current investment of 7.5 million euros, supported by partners such as the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung and Sternevent GmbH, secures the future of this technical cultural monument for the coming decades.
Source:
Back under the stars: Planetarium Jena becomes an experience space for its 100th anniversary
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.