re-imagining the
planetarium
as the wits
anglo american
digital dome
university of the witwatersrand (wits), johannesburg
The copper domed Wits Planetarium with its slender columned portico is a recognisable and well-known landmark on Yale Road on the East Campus of the University of the Witwatersrand. The Planetarium was completed in 1960 and was notable for its extraordinary Zeiss planetarium projector.
For over 60 years, the Planetarium, the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, has had a significant impact on the University and the broader community, with many thousands of visitors having experienced the projected celestial wonders. A high-profile Centenary project for Wits has transformed the Planetarium, into a fully interactive digital system.
The newly named Wits Anglo American Digital Dome project aims to create a visualization laboratory within this iconic landmark. This will broaden its role well beyond astronomy, re-imagine its potential on a 21st Century campus, and enable unparalleled community engagement. The vision was to transform the Planetarium into a cutting-edge digital facility, while building on its proud history as a unique science engagement venue. Modernizing the Planetarium to a full-dome, real-time, interactive digital system to broaden this offering beyond astronomy, and re-imagine its important role.
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The copper domed Wits Planetarium with its slender columned portico is a recognisable and well-known landmark on Yale Road on the East Campus of the University of the Witwatersrand. The Planetarium was completed in 1960 and was notable for its extraordinary Zeiss planetarium projector.
For over 60 years, the Planetarium, the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, has had a significant impact on the University and the broader community, with many thousands of visitors having experienced the projected celestial wonders. A high-profile Centenary project for Wits has transformed the Planetarium, into a fully interactive digital system.
The newly named Wits Anglo American Digital Dome project aims to create a visualization laboratory within this iconic landmark. This will broaden its role well beyond astronomy, re-imagine its potential on a 21st Century campus, and enable unparalleled community engagement. The vision was to transform the Planetarium into a cutting-edge digital facility, while building on its proud history as a unique science engagement venue. Modernizing the Planetarium to a full-dome, real-time, interactive digital system to broaden this offering beyond astronomy, and re-imagine its important role.
