MOSI opens America’s second-largest planetarium in Tampa

The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) just leveled up.

The eight-story tall, 10,000-square-foot dome screen that opened this month makes Saunders Planetarium the country’s second largest. The Digital Dome Theatre’s 8K image technology is sharper, brighter, and more immersive, according to the museum, than its previous 2017-era tech. It now seats more than 300, whereas its previous theater sat 46.

Tampa’s Forest Hills, Lewis, and Shaw Elementary School students were the first field trippers to experience the dome at its grand opening on March 31. The 30-minute 360-degree shows begin with a live tour of the night sky led by one of MOSI’s astronomers.

The dome is also able to accommodate teaching and corporate presentations, laser shows set to music, weddings and other special events. MOSI CEO John Graydon Smith told CL when the dome was announced last year that Vegas Sphere-style concerts could be added to its future lineup.

“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 said.

The upgrades were funded by a combination of MOSI’s foundation, private and community support.

Admission to the museum ($15-20) includes one show in the dome. Extra shows are $5 each.

Another treat for all the iPad kids: MOSI has added Minecraft Mania to its program lineup for April and May. Kids can build coding skills and gaming strategies in individual, small group and full-team challenges. Registration is $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers.

Readers are invited to submit their own events to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s things to do calendar.

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This article appears in Apr 10-16, 2025.