Cosm, a global technology company that builds end-to-end solutions for immersive experiences, has collaborated with Arizona Science Center, the leading destination for science and discovery in Arizona, for its redevelopment of the Dorrance Planetarium.
A significant investment by the Arizona Science Center will transform the planetarium into one of the most technologically advanced spaces of its kind in North America, featuring cutting-edge, category-defining immersive technology.
The refurbished space will be powered by Cosm with an 18-meter diameter, CX System LED dome display with 8K+ resolution. This will position the facility at Arizona Science Center as a worldwide leader in engaging science experiences.
Unsurpassed experience
The Dorrance Planetarium’s advanced technology will provide an unsurpassed level of resolution, contrast, and brightness, which provides more than 100 times the brightness of the majority of planetarium projection domes. This is only possible using Cosm’s CX System.
Arizona Science Centre will be able to show a wide range of science, educational, and entertainment programming, including live and interactive astronomical presentations, as well as licenced and specially developed content. With the ability to display the highest-quality, most immersive shows, the Dorrance Planetarium will inspire, educate, and engage inquiring minds in unprecedented ways.
Guy Labine, The Hazel A. Hare president & CEO of Arizona Science Center, says: “We are thrilled to announce our plans for the transformation of the Dorrance Planetarium. This will be a pivotal moment in how we engage our audiences with extraordinary experiences. The reimagined Dorrance Planetarium will become a must-see for anyone who visits Arizona. It will be an amazing asset to expand and augment our ability to educate and inspire our visitors.
“Our heartfelt thanks go to Jacquie and Bennett Dorrance. Their generous support, and the support of others, will transform the Dorrance Planetarium into an essential highlight of the visitor experience, providing captivating and educational content to engage and inspire guests of all ages.”
Jacquie Dorrance and Bennett Dorrance comment: “The reimagination of the Dorrance Planetarium at Arizona Science Center with this amazing technology will inspire, educate and immerse visitors for decades to come. This endeavor reflects our shared commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others in Arizona.”
Lasting impact
This year marks Arizona Science Center’s 40th year of delivering STEM education in the state. It is a symbol of learning and endless curiosity that honours the past while celebrating future innovations.
Over two million people have visited the Arizona Science Center’s Dorrance Planetarium since it first opened its doors in 1997. With the redesign of the planetarium, the Science Center is taking an important step towards being an international leader in the provision of engaging science experiences which support a community where people appreciate the use of science, technology, engineering, and maths to make educated choices and improve lives.
It will be positioned as an enduring educational hub for the state of Arizona thanks to the integration of Cosm’s CX System and the creative renovation of Dorrance Planetarium.
Kirk Johnson, chief operations officer at Cosm, says: “We are honored and excited that Arizona Science Center selected Cosm and our LED CX System for the renovation of The Dorrance Planetarium. Dating back to 1997 when Arizona Science Center selected Digistar II to power its planetarium, our work together has always been in the pursuit of creating inspiring and impactful audience experiences.
“Today, we’re thrilled to continue our decades-long collaboration with our forward-thinking partners at Arizona Science Center and deliver the never-before-seen experiences to the Arizona Science Center’s guests through arguably the most advanced immersive display technology and software available in the market today, giving guests unparalleled opportunities to experience wonder, ignite their curiosity, and continue to return to Arizona Science Center time and time again.”
Cosm has been creating and powering the biggest and most prestigious planetariums and science centres across the globe for 75 years. It has created immersive entertainment solutions, an ecosystem of immersive media, and category-defining technology that allow audiences to be transported anywhere in the real or imagined world, while still being in a social and physical setting.
Arizona Science Center’s Dorrance Planetarium is the third venue to adopt Cosm’s LED CX System, and joins Prague Planetarium and the Jane & John Justin Foundation Omni Theater at Fort Worth Museum of Science & History. This sets a completely new standard for how audiences interact with immersive, top-quality astronomy and scientific content. The redeveloped Dorrance Planetarium is expected to reopen to visitors in early 2025.
Last month, Cosm revealed that it will power Europe’s inaugural LED dome at Prague Planetarium, Czech Republic. The company, including its wholly-owned subsidiary Evans & Sutherland, has been named as the official partner for the renovation.
