Yesterday, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) announced a multi-million-dollar upgrade that investors say will improve the STEM learning experience for students in Tampa Bay.
Part of the upgrade brings the second-largest planetarium in the county to Tampa next year when the museum’s domed theater reopens with almost seven-times more capacity and new projection technology.
MOSI’s upgraded dome at the new Saunders Planetarium is expected to open in the first half of 2025, and will now be 82 feet in diameter, second only to the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium in New Jersey, which has a diameter of 88.5 feet. It will feature an eight-story NanoSeam perforated metal screen and seat more than 300 people (compared to the 46 it currently accommodates).
The dome, distinguished by blue, mirrored glass visible from Fowler Avenue, was using IMAX technology installed in 2017, but will now be powered by what a press release described as “10 new Christie digital projectors powered by an Evans & Sutherland Digistar 7 control system.”
Inside the planetarium, attendees will be able to tour the universe, simulate an undersea expedition in a 360-degree movie, or discover other wondrous new ideas, the release added.
“This major investment shows that MOSI is committed to staying right here in North Tampa, an area driving innovation thanks to USF, Moffitt Cancer Center, and the transformation of University Mall into Rithm at Uptown,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “We look forward to watching MOSI continue to grow, here in its longtime home, now and for years to come.”
A spokesperson for the museum told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that $4 million has already been invested so far, and that the total investment for the dome could reach up to $10 million depending on the addition of facilities like learning labs or dining options. The money comes from “a combination of foundation, private and county support,” according to the release.
“We’re talking about pull-you-in and blow-your-mind educational fun,” said MOSI CEO John Graydon Smith.
While Smith told CL that Vegas Sphere-esque music won’t be the new dome’s priority at the start, he said say that they could be added to the lineup in the future.
“Concerts—either beamed in and shown on the screen or live in-person, augmented by visuals on the screen—are absolutely possible with this new technology,” he added.
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This article appears in Dec 5-11, 2024.