The Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix is beginning a multiyear renovation, starting off with its planetarium. Museum officials say the result will be an immersive experience similar to the Las Vegas Sphere.
Planetariums traditionally provide a theatrical experience, taking audiences into the expanse of the cosmos and what stars, planets and galaxies inhabit it.
The upgraded 200-seat planetarium at Arizona Science Center will feature a 60-foot dome surrounding the audience with an 8K resolution screen.
Sari Custer is Chief of Science and Curiosity at the center. She says programming won’t be limited to science. One upcoming show explores the history of Pop-Art.
“What’s out there already that is really high quality content? So that could be space, but it also could be art focused. It could be music focused, so finding a variety of content to really show off the power of this technology and to provide diverse experiences,” said Custer.
A view through scaffolding of some of the more than 9,000 LED panels being installed in the Dorrance DOME at Arizona Science Center on Aug. 12, 2025.
At about $14 million, Custer said it’s the largest investment the center has made in a single exhibit.
“We’ve got a 5-year plan to renovate our galleries to think about how we need to update the experiences here. The Dorrance Planetarium is the largest investment we have made in one single experience,” Custer said.
Shows in the renovated planetarium will start in October, though members can start buying tickets now.